By Brian Mugenyi
WAKISO — The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, has urged newly elected local council leaders to prioritise service delivery, strict accountability, and citizen-centered governance to solidify Uganda’s decentralisation system.
Speaking during an induction training for LC1 and LC2 executives at the Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality headquarters on October 13, 2026, Kumumanya reminded leaders that they serve as the immediate link between the public and government.
“You have to be a leader of the people, and your most important responsibility should be serving them. Extend love to the people of Wakiso and Makindye-Ssabagabo,” Kumumanya urged.
He cautioned leaders against financial impropriety, specifically warning against the diversion of public funds meant for essential infrastructure.
“Leaders should have ears willing to listen. Money meant for roads should be used strictly for its intended purpose. Be angry about the right things, especially corruption and poor service delivery,” he added.
Safeguarding the Parish Development Model
The induction gathered leaders across 55 villages, eight parishes, and three divisions to deliberate on administrative duties, community mobilization, and service monitoring.
Kumumanya underscored the need for local leaders to monitor health facilities, schools, and central government poverty-alleviation initiatives—singling out the Parish Development Model (PDM). He stressed that beneficiaries must take total ownership of PDM funds to prevent exploitation.
“When people receive PDM funds, they must understand it is their money. They must protect the Parish Development Model as their own. It is not just a government programme; it is a people’s programme,” he remarked.
Leaders Demand Better Remuneration, Local Interventions
The interactive session provided a platform for grassroots leaders to air pressing operational challenges.
Abdullah Busulwa, the village chairperson for Namasuba, raised concerns over low compensation, revealing that their monthly allowance of UGX 150,000 remains insufficient given their heavy workloads. In response, Kumumanya confirmed that enhancing remuneration for local council officials remains under active ministerial discussion.
Other village leaders raised critical urban and environmental management concerns:
- Road Safety & Infrastructure: Ali Lukyamuzi (Chairperson, Gango Village) and Ronald Kasamba (Namasuba Central) highlighted severe safety hazards along the Moses Muganga Road, where 21 road fatalities were recorded between January and October 2026.
- Administrative Protocols: Leaders called for strict regulatory enforcement regarding the misuse of official village stamps across boundary lines.
- Local Legislation: Kasamba appealed for decentralized civic training focusing on local tax enforcement, waste management laws, and combating environmental pollution.
Ministry Guidelines on Justice and Administration
Stella Aguti, a Research and Development Officer at the ministry, instructed local councils to maintain integrity and handle community disputes fairly.
“Focus on substantive justice rather than letting legal technicalities overshadow fair outcomes,” Aguti noted, commending Solomon Sserwanjja, Chairman of Bamutakudde Village, for driving economic self-reliance initiatives among his residents.
Makindye-Ssabagabo Town Clerk Moses Otimong and Deputy Town Clerk Henry Ssemakula reaffirmed that such capacity-building engagements will streamline coordination between lower local council structures and municipal technical divisions to enhance urban service delivery.
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