SOROTI DISTRICT COUNCIL’S BENCHMARKING TOUR IN LIRA SET TO DRIVE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY

Soroti District Council's recent benchmarking tour in Lira District is expected to generate significant benefits for Soroti's development and service delivery.

The delegation, comprising council members, LCIII chairpersons, and technical staff, visited Lira district on 25^th to 26^th November,2024 to gain insights into successful local governance practices and revenue management strategies.

The primary objective of the tour was to study Lira's revenue generation methods and identify effective practices that could be replicated in Soroti. Key visits included the Aler Quarrying Site, where the team learned about efficient quarry management, and the Amach International Market, which served as an example of effective market management and operations.

The discussions centered on local revenue management, with a focus on tax collection strategies aimed at optimizing revenue generation. The team also explored budgeting practices to ensure efficient resource allocation for prioritizing key development projects. These exchanges are expected to enhance Soroti’s fiscal planning and service delivery.

Speaking to Teso Post, Aloysious Oriokot, Soroti’s Revenue Officer, emphasized that the benchmarking initiative is a crucial step toward improving local revenue management. "The knowledge-sharing opportunity will enhance Soroti's revenue collection systems and ultimately benefit our residents," Oriokot said.

He also noted that the collaboration would promote informed decision-making, equipping Soroti's leadership with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in local revenue management, thus improving overall service delivery.

Mr. Esatu Moses, the Principal Secretary, expressed his satisfaction with the tour, noting that the team had learned valuable lessons, some of which could be adapted to Soroti’s context.

Hon. Enangu Samuel, Vice Chairperson of Soroti District, commended Lira’s successful management of natural resources, particularly the titling of these resources, which he said could be a critical takeaway for Soroti. He added that improving the district's tax base is also a priority moving forward.

District Speaker Hon. Olebe Stephen assured that the best practices observed during the tour would be adopted in Soroti, with council members committed to ensuring these strategies are implemented to strengthen local governance and development.

Both Soroti and Lira districts share common challenges following the creation of Lira City, which was carved out of Lira District. This shared experience provided valuable insights for Soroti, particularly in terms of managing the impact of city creation on local governance and revenue systems.

This benchmarking tour marks a significant step toward improving Soroti’s administrative capacity, setting the stage for enhanced revenue management and more effective service delivery for its residents.

By Abraham Ekwaru, Communication Officer Soroti