LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS: Kumumanya Credits Museveni for Decentralisation Success

MAKINDYE-SSABAGABO — Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, has credited President Yoweri Museveni’s administration for advancing decentralisation across Uganda. He emphasized that the system successfully empowers grassroots communities to directly influence decision-making regarding local roads, schools, healthcare, and essential public services.

Speaking on Thursday during an induction exercise for newly elected local council leaders in Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality, Kumumanya explained that decentralisation was intentionally designed to shift administrative power closer to the electorate. This structure ensures citizens participate in shaping their own community development priorities.

He challenged elected representatives to act as true advocates for their constituents by demanding transparency and prioritizing public spending where it is needed most.

“Let us have the opportunity to determine our destiny. It is very important not to let anyone make decisions on things that affect us,” Kumumanya said.

He noted that functioning decentralisation requires local councils to take full ownership of identifying community priorities, approving operational budgets, and enforcing project oversight.

“Sit in councils, approve your budgets, approve your projects, and let people develop their own structures,” he added.

Tracing the origins of Uganda’s decentralised governance framework back to the reforms initiated under President Museveni in 1987, Kumumanya noted that extensive national consultations laid the groundwork for modern local administration. Reflecting on the nation’s post-independence history, he observed that local governance restored power back to the citizens after years of centralized control.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted the significance of grassroots elections, emphasizing that genuine leadership stems from democratic mandates.

“I have been able to see a group of leaders being elected, not selected, to represent the people,” Kumumanya stated, reminding participants of their core duties under the 1995 Constitution.

He urged council members to familiarize themselves with council procedures, financial management, and monitoring techniques. Local leaders, he argued, must actively question municipal authorities when public infrastructure—such as roads—is neglected.

“If you go to the community and the roads are missing, you should inquire,” he advised, pressing leaders to balance demand for service delivery with local revenue mobilization.

Addressing public expenditure, Kumumanya reiterated that authority comes with strict accountability. He cautioned leaders against mismanagement, noting that decentralisation must be backed by transparent resource allocation.

“If you collect Shs6 million, sit down and decide collectively how that money will serve the community,” he noted.

Addressing past public demonstrations over poor road networks along the Entebbe Road corridor, Kumumanya called on leaders to resolve community concerns proactively through dialogue rather than allowing grievances to escalate.

“You have heard the President fighting corruption all the time,” Kumumanya said. “With this power, we should work hard, foster national unity, and live in harmony.”

He concluded with an appeal for constructive leadership: “We should use yesterday to inform us, and today we want to see new things. Strong minds discuss ideas, and weak minds discuss people.”

Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality Mayor John Bosco Galabuzzi commended the Ministry of Local Government for conducting the induction training. He expressed confidence that the session would equip councilors with practical administrative skills.

Galabuzzi also commended Town Clerk Moses Otimong and the municipal technical staff for upholding institutional discipline and advancing local infrastructure projects.

Ester Nakitto, a municipal councillor, noted that the orientation helped representatives understand their statutory boundaries, legislative duties, and lobbying roles. She affirmed that clear mandates strengthen collaboration between political leaders and technical officers to deliver meaningful community development.