Brian Mugenyi examines the demands of public service, criticism of the Ministry of Local Government, and why accountability must rest on evidence.
By Brian Mugenyi
Modern mass media offers many channels for spreading information. After following mixed conversations on X (formerly Twitter) and other digital platforms about alleged failures in local government under Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya, and the Ministry of Local Government’s efforts to expose corruption across Uganda’s 135 districts, I felt compelled to share my observations.
The debate also touches on Balam Barugahara, the Minister for Local Government, whose mandate includes implementing President Museveni’s directive at Kololo Independence Grounds to fight corruption under the banner of “No Sleep.” Public conversations continue to swirl around the Permanent Secretary, his work, and the challenges of local government administration.
Philosophers such as Socrates and Aristotle remind us that governance involves difficult decisions and competing public expectations. Interviewing Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya can feel like attending a university lecture on public administration, decentralisation, and communication theory. One question leads to another as he returns to a central issue: how government policies, institutions, and public resources can be organised so that services reach the people.
In my engagements with him, I have observed a public servant whose working hours often stretch well beyond the conventional office timetable. He can leave the office around midnight and return early the following morning, with the business of local government waiting. This raises a fair question: how many people who comment on his work fully understand the responsibilities attached to his office, the officials he coordinates, and the administrative structures through which government programmes are implemented?
This is not a call for public servants to be exempt from criticism. Criticism should be informed by facts, the duties of the office, and evidence of performance.
### The weight behind the title
The Ministry of Local Government, headquartered at Workers House in Kampala, operates within Uganda’s decentralised system. This includes districts, cities, municipalities, town councils, and lower local government structures. Its responsibilities centre on administrative coordination, guidance, and oversight within its mandate.
Kumumanya does not personally construct every district road, recruit every local government employee, or supervise every contractor. These tasks are distributed among local authorities, accounting officers, technical personnel, and other institutions under the 1995 Constitution and applicable laws.
When a road project stalls, the relevant questions are clear: Who approved the work? Who supervised it? Were funds released? Did the contractor meet the required standards? When a recruitment decision is questioned, the appointment procedures and responsible institutions must be established before blame is assigned.
The office of Permanent Secretary carries significant responsibilities, but accountability should follow the evidence rather than automatically placing every failure in the sector at one person’s door.
### Socrates, Aristotle, and public accountability
Socrates is remembered for his method of questioning assumptions through dialogue. His approach offers a useful lesson for public debate: before accepting an allegation, ask what evidence supports it, what facts are missing, and whether alternative explanations exist.
Aristotle explored ethics, political life, and the responsibilities of leadership. Good governance requires more than occupying an office; it demands practical wisdom, responsible decisions, and attention to the common good. Applied to local government, these ideas do not silence criticism. They suggest that criticism should be informed, fair, and directed at establishing the truth.
### Dedication and the demands of public service
Colossians 3:23 (KJV) states: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” For a public servant, dedication should appear not only in long hours but also in integrity, responsibility, and results delivered to citizens. Long hours may demonstrate commitment, yet effective service delivery remains the ultimate test.
Proverbs 22:29 highlights diligence and discipline. At the Ministry, these qualities matter in coordinating local government institutions, following up on administrative matters, and handling public responsibilities carefully. Commitment, however, must go hand in hand with accountability. Public officials should be assessed fairly against the duties assigned to their offices and the results they can demonstrate.
### Even Jesus faced criticism
The account of Jesus and Judas Iscariot in Matthew 26:14–16 recounts how Judas agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. This should not be read to mean that every critic is a betrayer. Citizens have a right to question public officials, and legitimate criticism strengthens accountability. The story simply reminds us that relationships and public opinion do not always reveal the complete truth.
Social media platforms such as X and TikTok have become spaces where leaders are praised, challenged, and criticised. While these platforms can surface genuine concerns, widely shared allegations are not automatically proven facts. Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) offers a useful reminder: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Public debate benefits from measured language, evidence, and responsible engagement rather than hostility or gossip.
### Let the oversight process work
Uganda’s fight against corruption requires documentation, audits, investigations, and lawful administrative procedures—not social media arguments alone. Public officials should be held accountable where evidence establishes wrongdoing. Allegations should be examined through the relevant lawful processes.
Where claims involving local government arise, the relevant institutions should establish what happened, who was responsible, and whether public resources were misused. If wrongdoing is proven, appropriate action should follow. Until then, allegations should not be treated as final findings.
Romans 14:12 (KJV) states: “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” The principle of personal responsibility applies equally in public administration. Every official should account for decisions made within their mandate, while investigations establish individual responsibility through evidence.
### Local government and road development
Uganda’s Local Governments Act provides the framework for decentralised administration and service delivery. The Roads Act, 2019, and other laws help define responsibilities for public roads. District roads, urban roads, and community access roads fall under different administrative arrangements. National roads are managed through the designated national road authority. The location of a road alone does not establish which institution is directly responsible for its construction or maintenance.
Chief Administrative Officers, town clerks, technical officers, and contractors each have responsibilities within their mandates. When a road project fails, scrutiny should examine funding, procurement, supervision, workmanship, and the actions of the responsible authorities. Kumumanya’s performance should be assessed against the Ministry’s mandate and the duties of his office, rather than every road defect or project delay across the country.
Galatians 6:9 (KJV) says: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” The verse speaks to perseverance, but dedication must be accompanied by measurable results and accountability.
Let the critics ask questions. Let oversight institutions follow the evidence. Let public officials answer for their responsibilities.
Let Ben enjoy his peace—not as an exemption from scrutiny, but as a call for fairness. Ultimately, local government must be judged by whether public resources are properly accounted for and whether citizens receive the roads, schools, health services, and other facilities they deserve.
Stay in your lane. Advocate for a better Uganda.
For God and my country….
The writer, Brian Mugenyi, is a local government journalist in Uganda who continues to learn about local government reporting, policies, and implementation.
The post In Defence of Fair Accountability: Let Ben Kumumanya Enjoy His Peace appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.