The Permanent Secretary explains the Ministry of Local Government’s role in accountability, decentralisation and improving service delivery.
By Brian Mugenyi
When President Yoweri Museveni appointed Benjamin Kumumanya among other permanent secretaries on July 15, 2021, he named him head of the technical administration of the Ministry of Local Government.
The appointment placed Kumumanya at the centre of an institution whose responsibilities include guiding, monitoring and supporting local governments to improve governance and service delivery.
Across Uganda, district and municipal authorities oversee services that directly affect citizens, including local roads, sanitation and other public functions. How these services are delivered depends partly on whether public resources are properly managed, projects are supervised and officials account for their decisions.
In this One-on-One, Brian Mugenyi examines the Permanent Secretary’s statutory responsibilities and the Ministry’s place in the wider fight against corruption.
Q: What is the role of the Permanent Secretary in ensuring accountability in local government?
A: The Permanent Secretary provides technical leadership and oversees the Ministry’s administration within its legal mandate. This includes coordinating ministry operations, managing its resources, supporting the implementation of government policies and ensuring that administrative processes comply with the law.
Kumumanya has emphasised the need for the sector to fulfil its legal obligations, saying: “I am directing the sector to be able to deliver as stipulated by law.”
The responsibility involves ensuring that the Ministry’s systems support effective supervision, proper use of public resources and improved performance.
However, accountability is shared across government. Local government accounting officers and other designated officials retain their own statutory duties, while independent institutions carry out auditing, investigation and enforcement functions.
Q: How does the Ministry of Local Government contribute to the fight against corruption?
A: The Ministry contributes through its administrative, monitoring and support functions. Its mandate includes guiding, harmonising, mentoring and advocating for local governments to improve governance and service delivery.
These responsibilities provide a framework for identifying administrative weaknesses, monitoring performance and encouraging compliance with established procedures.
Corruption may arise where public funds are misappropriated, procurement processes are abused or expenditure is not properly accounted for. Such practices can undermine development programmes and deprive communities of services for which public funds have been allocated.
The Ministry’s role is to support sound administration and take appropriate action within its mandate. Allegations requiring formal investigation must be handled by the competent authorities, in accordance with the law.
Q: Does the Permanent Secretary personally control every local government project and expenditure?
A: No. The responsibilities of the Permanent Secretary must be distinguished from those assigned to accounting officers and other officials at district and municipal levels.
Chief administrative officers, town clerks and other designated officers have specific responsibilities for the administration and financial management of their respective entities. Their duties are governed by the applicable laws and public-finance procedures.
The Permanent Secretary heads the Ministry’s technical administration and serves as its accounting officer within the applicable public-finance framework. That position does not mean that every transaction or project undertaken by a local government is personally managed by the Permanent Secretary.
This distinction matters when examining allegations of corruption. Responsibility must be established using evidence and the specific duties assigned to the individuals concerned.
Q: Which institutions complement the Ministry’s work in promoting accountability?
A: The fight against corruption involves several institutions with distinct legal mandates.
The Office of the Auditor General audits public accounts and examines the use of public resources. The Inspectorate of Government investigates corruption and other misconduct within its jurisdiction, while the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority oversees compliance with public procurement requirements.
The police and prosecution authorities also have responsibilities in handling suspected criminal conduct.
The Ministry of Local Government works within this broader accountability framework through its administrative and oversight functions. Cooperation among institutions is important, but their respective powers should not be confused.
A delayed project, for example, does not automatically prove corruption. The reasons for the delay must be established, and any suspected wrongdoing addressed through the appropriate procedures.
Q: How does decentralisation strengthen service delivery and accountability?
A: Decentralisation brings decision-making closer to communities and gives local institutions responsibilities in responding to local development priorities.
Article 176 of Uganda’s Constitution provides for decentralisation as a principle of local government. The Local Governments Act establishes the framework for the responsibilities and operation of local government institutions.
For decentralisation to work effectively, local governments must have the capacity to plan, manage resources, implement programmes and account for expenditure. Citizens must also be able to participate in decisions that affect their communities.
Kumumanya has stressed the importance of this public participation, saying: “People must take part in decisions that affect their livelihoods.”
The principle places citizens at the centre of local governance. Residents should be able to raise concerns about public projects, monitor service delivery and seek explanations from the officials responsible.
Q: What happens when a local government project is delayed or public services fail to meet expectations?
A: The circumstances must be examined before conclusions are drawn. Delays may result from procurement challenges, funding constraints, contractor performance, technical difficulties or administrative failures.
The Ministry’s monitoring and support functions can help identify weaknesses and encourage corrective action within its mandate. Where evidence points to suspected misconduct, the matter should be referred to the appropriate institution.
Accountability requires more than identifying a problem. It also involves following up on audit findings, addressing administrative weaknesses and ensuring that responsible officials comply with the law.
The objective is to ensure that public resources produce the intended results for communities.
Q: How should the public measure progress in the fight against corruption?
A: Progress should be assessed through documented actions, compliance with the law and measurable improvements in public administration—not merely through meetings held or directives issued.
For local governments, relevant indicators include transparent procurement, proper financial reporting, follow-up on audit findings and effective implementation of approved projects.
For the Ministry of Local Government, assessment should focus on its statutory responsibilities, its response to identified weaknesses and documented improvements in local government performance.
Ultimately, citizens expect public resources to serve their intended purpose. Roads should be maintained, public facilities should function and government institutions should account for their decisions and expenditure.
The wider test of accountability is whether public institutions fulfil their legal obligations, protect public resources and deliver the services for which government funds are allocated.
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