A new survey conducted by an independent firm into the challenges hampering service delivery in local governments has recommended raising the minimum qualification of members of district statutory boards and commissions.

The report is titled 'Beyond Compliance A Performance Assessment of Statutory Boards and Commissions in Uganda’s Local Governments FY 2021/2022'.

It recommends that the requirement be rolled out in district service commissions, district land boards and local government public accounts committees to enhance the performance of the entities.

The study was conducted by Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE), an independent policy think tank.

Currently, the minimum requirement is an A’ level certificate or diploma, but the researchers said these qualifications are inadequate when compared with the work done, including recruitment of district staff.

District land boards hold and allocate land in the districts and local government public accounts committees perform the accountability oversight function on the use and utilization of public funds within the district local government.

Therefore, the report recommends an amendment to Section 56 of the Local Governments Act Cap 243 on academic qualification of district service commission members.

For local government public accounts committees and district land boards, the report recommends that the Government amends Section 88 (1B) of the Local Governments Act Cap 243 and the Land Act, Cap 227 (as amended), respectively.

“The Ministry of Local Government should also amend Section 78 and the fifth schedule of the Local Governments Act, in relation to revenue sharing among districts and lower local councils,” says the report.

This amendment would require urban councils to make financial contributions to districts to support the work of statutory bodies.

“Such contributions could be based on a formula that takes into account the size of the urban council, its revenue base, and the needs of the statutory bodies.”