Govt allocates sh32b for vehicles to boost local administration

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In a move aimed at strengthening local governance, the Ministry of Local Government has allocated sh32b for the procurement of vehicles for chief administrative officers (CAOs) across the country.

The allocation is part of the ministry’s plans to enhance operational efficiency at district and sub-county levels. The vehicles are expected to improve mobility for CAOs, enabling them to conduct inspections, monitor government programmes, and oversee service delivery more effectively.

“Our chief administrative officers play a critical role in implementing development projects, supervising staff, and ensuring accountability at the district level. Reliable transport is essential for them to perform these duties efficiently,” the ministry's permanent secretary, Ben Kumumanya, said.

The ministry highlighted that the sh32 billion allocation for vehicles will support CAOs in remote and hard-to-reach areas, ensuring that oversight and monitoring functions are not hampered by logistical challenges.

Officials also noted that the procurement of vehicles is part of a broader government strategy to improve local governance infrastructure, including the construction of administrative headquarters, induction of local government councils, and enhanced monitoring and supervision of government programmes.

“This investment in vehicles is not just about transport; it is about enabling chief administrative officers to implement development projects, monitor public funds, and serve the communities effectively,” said a ministry spokesperson. It is a critical step toward improving accountability and the quality of local service delivery,” he said.

The vehicle procurement programme is expected to roll out over the next financial quarters, with contracts awarded through transparent procurement processes. Once deployed, the vehicles will be used across all districts to ensure that CAOs can efficiently manage staff, monitor projects, and address administrative challenges in real time.

In October last year, President Yoweri Museveni fulfilled his pledge to strengthen local governance by delivering 176 brand new vehicles worth sh35.2 billion to local government leaders across the country. The vehicles were handed over at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to 135 district chairpersons, 10 city mayors, and 31 municipal leaders.

Handing over the vehicles, the Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi said the initiative is aimed at enhancing the supervision and monitoring of key government programmes such as the Road Fund, Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Regional Development Programme (RDP), Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), and other initiatives that promote local economic growth and effective service delivery.

Magyezi applauded the leaders for their resilience and dedication to advancing government programmes. He urged them to prioritise transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the use of the vehicles, emphasising that they should serve as tools to bring services closer to the people.

Magyezi also directed that old vehicles previously used by district chairpersons and mayors be handed over to the respective speakers of districts, cities, and municipalities to strengthen council operations.