Graft destroying local govts â€" experts
Jun 03, 2009
UNLESS corruption in local governments is addressed, the gains of decentralisation will be eroded. Johnson Bitarabeho, the chairperson of the local government finance commission, said corruption was destroying the achievements made since the Government ha
By Henry Mukasa
UNLESS corruption in local governments is addressed, the gains of decentralisation will be eroded, an official has said.
Johnson Bitarabeho, the chairperson of the local government finance commission, said corruption was destroying the achievements made since the Government handed over power to local governments in 1992.
“Local governments have been accused of corruption and nepotism. They must redeem their integrity,†he said.
Bitarabeho, who has served in the local government for 31 years, said although studies had shown that decentralisation was working in terms of bringing power closer to the people, the success rate would be higher if corruption was addressed.
He was speaking at the closing of a two-day conference on local government accountability at Protea Hotel in Kampala on Tuesday.
Delegates from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and South Africa attended the meeting.
The Forum was funded by the World Bank and hosted by the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability, Uganda Local Government Association and the Ministry of Local Government.
Delegates discussed the role of councillors in planning and overseeing service delivery and their involvement in the financial management.
Bitarabeho said the willingness of people to pay taxes had a direct effect on service delivery, adding that it was a requirement for local governments to publish their revenue and expenditure.
He said while local governments had the capacity to advocate for increased funding, there had to be equity and transparency.
Bitarabeho proposed the established of service delivery standards and performance indicators upon which local leaders should be judged.
Commenting on the academic requirements for local leaders, Bitarabeho said voters had their own yardstick of measuring their competence.
“When it comes to the social services committee, people know whether there is water and drugs in a health centre.â€
World Bank consultant Prof. Sylivian Boko asked how local governments could raise revenue to reduce donor and government dependence.
He also said people needed to be empowered to see beyond the election day and demand for improved service delivery.
UNLESS corruption in local governments is addressed, the gains of decentralisation will be eroded, an official has said.
Johnson Bitarabeho, the chairperson of the local government finance commission, said corruption was destroying the achievements made since the Government handed over power to local governments in 1992.
“Local governments have been accused of corruption and nepotism. They must redeem their integrity,†he said.
Bitarabeho, who has served in the local government for 31 years, said although studies had shown that decentralisation was working in terms of bringing power closer to the people, the success rate would be higher if corruption was addressed.
He was speaking at the closing of a two-day conference on local government accountability at Protea Hotel in Kampala on Tuesday.
Delegates from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and South Africa attended the meeting.
The Forum was funded by the World Bank and hosted by the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability, Uganda Local Government Association and the Ministry of Local Government.
Delegates discussed the role of councillors in planning and overseeing service delivery and their involvement in the financial management.
Bitarabeho said the willingness of people to pay taxes had a direct effect on service delivery, adding that it was a requirement for local governments to publish their revenue and expenditure.
He said while local governments had the capacity to advocate for increased funding, there had to be equity and transparency.
Bitarabeho proposed the established of service delivery standards and performance indicators upon which local leaders should be judged.
Commenting on the academic requirements for local leaders, Bitarabeho said voters had their own yardstick of measuring their competence.
“When it comes to the social services committee, people know whether there is water and drugs in a health centre.â€
World Bank consultant Prof. Sylivian Boko asked how local governments could raise revenue to reduce donor and government dependence.
He also said people needed to be empowered to see beyond the election day and demand for improved service delivery.