ENTEBBE, UGANDA – The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Ben Kumumanya, has urged newly elected leaders of Entebbe Municipality to uphold the rule of law, enforce orderly trade, avoid unnecessary political conflicts and prioritise quality service delivery as the municipality strives to become a model urban centre.
Mr. Kumumanya made the remarks on Tuesday while closing an induction training for Entebbe Municipality’s political leaders at Peniel Beach Hotel.
The induction brought together councillors, municipal leaders and technical officers to deepen their understanding of local government laws, governance systems, accountability and their role in implementing government programmes. The Head of Trade, Industry and Local Economic Development, Mr. Stephen Mulindwa, also delivered a presentation on trade, local economic development and the use of data in planning and decision-making.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Kumumanya said effective leadership begins with respect for the law and strong collaboration between political leaders and technical staff.
“Follow the law. There are many laws governing local governments, and there is no way you can successfully run a council without following those laws,” he said.
He reminded the leaders that local governments are the closest level of government to the people and therefore have a duty to ensure efficient delivery of public services.
The Permanent Secretary urged councillors to respect each other’s mandates and work harmoniously with technical officers, warning that unnecessary conflicts only undermine service delivery.
“Uganda is looking for leaders who can accommodate others, build consensus and focus on delivering services to the people instead of engaging in unnecessary political fights,” he said.
Enforcing Trade Order
Mr. Kumumanya also emphasised the need to enforce trade order in Entebbe Municipality, saying organised business operations are essential for a modern and well-managed urban centre.
He said all traders operating within the municipality should comply with government guidelines aimed at promoting proper planning, cleanliness and discipline in trading areas.
According to the Permanent Secretary, orderly markets benefit both traders and consumers by creating a safe, organised and conducive business environment.
Using a simple analogy, he explained the importance of order in everyday life.
“I always tell people, why do you have sitting arrangements in your homes? It is to maintain order and know where everything is placed. The market must also be arranged in the same way,” he said.
He cited Kitooro Market as a good example of organised trade, where traders operate in designated spaces while supporting efficient urban management.
Mr. Kumumanya stressed that enforcing trade order should not be viewed as restricting business but as creating an environment where commerce can flourish.
Recruitment Must Follow the Law
The Permanent Secretary also warned local governments against irregularities in the recruitment of public servants, insisting that all appointments must strictly follow established legal procedures.
He said recruitment should be guided by merit, transparency and professionalism rather than personal interests or political influence.
Mr. Kumumanya revealed that cities and districts without functional District Service Commissions have been given until 30 August 2026 to address the gaps in accordance with Ministry of Local Government guidelines.
He noted that functional service commissions are critical to ensuring competent personnel are recruited into public service.
Entebbe’s Strategic Importance
While closing the induction, Mr. Kumumanya reminded the leaders that Entebbe occupies a unique and strategic position in Uganda and therefore demands exemplary leadership.
He described the municipality as a historic town, an international gateway and the home of key national institutions, including State House Entebbe and Entebbe International Airport.
“Entebbe is not just another municipality. It is Uganda’s gateway to the world, a historic town and home to State House. It has the privilege of being one of the country’s model urban centres, and that privilege comes with responsibility,” he said.
He further urged the leaders to focus on delivering tangible results rather than criticising their predecessors.
“Do not spend your time bragging about how others have failed. The people elected you to deliver results, not to assign blame. Work hard, remain focused and always seek wisdom,” he advised.
Municipality Targets Improved Service Delivery
Meanwhile, the Entebbe Municipality Town Clerk, Mr. Emmanuel Gakyalo, revealed that the municipality has so far collected approximately Shs5 billion in local revenue from taxi operations and other revenue sources.
He said the improved revenue collection has enabled the municipality to undertake key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing construction of Kiwafu Road near Kitooro Senior Secondary School, while also supporting improvements in health services and other essential public programmes.
“We have so far collected approximately Shs5 billion in local revenue, and our goal is to make Entebbe Municipality a model local government in service delivery, accountability and sustainable urban development,” Mr. Gakyalo said.
He commended the Government of Uganda under the leadership of President Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for its continued investment in social services and support to local governments.
Speaking at the same event, Entebbe Municipality Mayor Fabrice Rulinda called for inclusive leadership, urging elected leaders to serve all residents regardless of political affiliation.
He noted that although the municipality’s leadership is predominantly from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), every resident deserves equal access to public services and development opportunities.
The Ministry of Local Government said the induction forms part of its broader efforts to strengthen the capacity of political leaders and improve governance and service delivery across local governments.
As Entebbe pursues its vision of becoming a model urban centre, the message from the Ministry remained unequivocal: uphold the law, enforce orderly trade, safeguard public resources, and translate leadership commitments into measurable improvements in the lives of citizens.
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