LOCAL Government minister Kahinda Otafiire has said his time in the ministry has been the most enjoyable in his 23 years of government service.
“I enjoy the challenges of the local government ministry. There is no single day when I don’t get angry or when I don’t laugh my head off,” he said.
Otafiire was commissioning the Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA) head office at Najjanankumbi on Entebbe Road last week.
Otafiire, a Major General, has worked in the foreign affairs and lands, water and environment ministries, in the military, and security agencies.
He said because of their slow development, African countries had to take advantage of all opportunities to prosper.
“We have one destiny and we must run while others are walking,” Otafiire advised.
He wondered why development eluded Uganda, which he said was rich in resources.
“Maybe God knew that the fellows he put here are not serious,” he said.
Otafiire congratulated the ULGA for purchasing the building that housed its headquarters.
President Yoweri Museveni said decentralisation had provided a framework for the implementation of government programmes.
His message was contained in a statement read by the second deputy Prime Minister, Henry Kajura.
The President noted that local governments were providing primary healthcare to residents and improving feeder roads.
Museveni, who is also the ULGA patron, asked local government leaders to support government programmes and mobilise residents to engage in income-generating activities.
Kajura decried the laxity in rural areas and some urban centres, where the youth start drinking alcohol in the morning other than working.
“This is unacceptable. Even when you lose someone, people expect you to feed and entertain them,” Kajura criticised.
Kajura, who is also the Minister for Public Service, asked the local government ministry to pass by-laws, which make it mandatory for households to have food reserves in granaries.
“We can’t even feed our people. We need a resolution in rural areas where most people live,” he said.
ULGA president John Karazarwe said the association was recognised as a leader in decentralisation.
