By Brian Mugenyi mugenyijj@gmail.com
WAKISO — The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, has called on local council leaders to strengthen grassroots leadership, emphasizing that their role in monitoring government programmes, mobilising communities, and fighting corruption is critical to Uganda’s decentralisation efforts.
Speaking to local council leaders in Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso District, Kumumanya traced the origin of local leadership to Uganda’s governance history, particularly the lessons learned during the Luweero Triangle war. He noted that the conflict exposed major gaps in public institutions and service delivery, highlighting the urgent need to bring decision-making closer to the people.
According to Kumumanya, LC1 and LC2 chairpersons serve as the crucial link between government institutions and ordinary citizens. He urged them to take their responsibilities seriously, ensure public initiatives respond to community needs, and monitor sectors such as roads, healthcare, education, and economic development.
Drawing on his personal experience of living in the Najjanankumbi suburb for nearly three decades, Kumumanya pointed to the rapid transformation of local areas as proof of development’s potential. However, he warned that corruption poses a grave threat to these gains by diverting vital public resources.
“The safe border, special hire, and several developments came up, but an animal also emerged: corruption. People bring money from here and take it there,” Kumumanya cautioned, urging grassroots leaders to remain vigilant and uphold accountability.
Monitoring the Parish Development Model
Kumumanya highlighted the role of village leaders in monitoring the Parish Development Model (PDM), a flagship government initiative designed to move households into the money economy. He expressed concern over widespread misunderstandings regarding PDM funds.
“One of the challenges we have discovered is that most projects, such as the Parish Development Model, are considered government money, yet it is a programme for the people,” he explained.
He advised village leaders to collaborate with technical officers and institutions to report irregularities, clear up misconceptions, and ensure eligible beneficiaries receive support.
Call for Stronger Mobilisation
Moses Otimong, an official from the ministry, reiterated that the engagement aimed to help leaders understand their duties under a decentralised system and bridge the gap between citizens (wananchi) and government.
“We want to do the mobilisation, identify the leadership gap between the wananchi and government, and now that we have the PDM, identify the 39 per cent of our people in poverty and do away with corruption,” Otimong stated.
He encouraged LC1 chairpersons to foster community participation in revenue collection and infrastructure upkeep, such as road construction. Otimong also called for a return to community health competitions.
“We want to take back the LCs to competing in sanitation and hygiene awards—for example, recognizing the cleanest cell that excels in hygiene and road infrastructure,” he added.
Both officials concluded that active grassroots leadership, robust monitoring, and community drive remain indispensable if decentralisation is to translate into improved service delivery and better livelihoods across Uganda.
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