Multiparties frustrating local government operations
Jan 14, 2009
THREE years after multiparty politics was introduced in local governance, many councillors are yet to come to terms with the system. This is revealed in a report titled: “The Impact of Political Pluralism in Local Governmentsâ€, which was released rece
By Joshua Kato
THREE years after multiparty politics was introduced in local governance, many councillors are yet to come to terms with the system. This is revealed in a report titled: “The Impact of Political Pluralism in Local Governmentsâ€, which was released recently.
In many local governments, such as Kayunga, Rakai, Bundibugyo and Masindi districts, Kira Town Council, Kawempe and Makindye divisions, councillors have failed to implement important decisions due to political differences.
As a result, some local leaders are calling for a revision of the system so that party politics is only practised at the national level.
In Kira Town Council, some councillors wanted to pass a vote of no confidence in the mayor, Mamerito Mugerwa, largely because he belongs to the NRM, while many of the councillors are of the opposition.
In Kawempe Division, the chairman, Nasser Takuba, vowed not to endorse the division budget over what he called ‘sabotage’ by councillors, mainly from a rival party.
“They cut my allowances and increased theirs because they do not support me politically,†Takuba said.
A few months ago, Moyo district chairman Peter Iku Dolo complained that some district leaders from a different political party were failing him.
“Councillors find it hard to debate against their party positions for fear of losing their seats,†reads the report that was commissioned by the Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA) under the European Development Fund (EDF).
“When we went into party politics, people were not sensitised on what to do. Councillors on the opposition came with one thing in mind — to oppose everything, even if it is good for the community,†says Mugerwa.
He cites his area where some councillors opposed the construction of roads and acquisition of a grader.
The report also points out that independent councillors do not participate in council deliberations since they are always at crossroads. In some districts, they sign memorandums of understanding with the leading party.
It was also found that some councillors do not take disciplinary action against their party members who misbehave.
ULGA president John Wycliffe Karazarwe commends the Government for amending the Local Governments Act to enable the election of lower local councils.
However, he says, failure to hold fresh elections is affecting the multiparty system because the existing councils were elected under the Movement system.
The Electoral Commission says the elections have delayed due to lack of funds to organise them. The report advises the Ministry of Local Government to sensitise local governments on political pluralism to promote good governance.
The ministry, the report says, should work with established stakeholders like ULGA or ULAA.
“There is also a need for capacity building for councils and the public on the operations of political parties,†Karazarwe says.
The local government ministry and ULGA have a capacity-building programme, funded by the EDF. It kicked off in April last year. According to the coordinator, Rose Gamwera, sensitisation of councillors on the multiparty dispensation is in high gear.
“We reviewed the curriculum. We are moving into the next phase of meeting councillors,†she says.
Karazarwe says stakeholders should consider the earlier proposal of limiting political parties to the national level to stop the inconveniences to local governments.
The former local government minister, Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, in an earlier interview, said the disruption that multiparty politics would bring to the cohesion of local governance was envisaged.
However, for uniformity, the country could not have two systems of administration. It would be a contradiction since Parliament, which makes laws, is under multiparty, while the local governments, that implement 70% of these laws, are under a no-party system.
It was also envisaged that without the multiparty system, voters would have been deprived of their rights to vote for local leaders through their political parties.
The report recommends that lower level party structures be facilitated to mobilise party activities, including inducting members on the new political dispensation.
“Capacity building programmes by political parties should be designed to meet the needs of specific individuals at different local governments,†the report says.
The report also recommends that the Political Party Act be implemented to legalise funding of political parties by the Government.
It also calls for a working relationship among councillors from different political groupings, through regular dialogue and meetings to reduce conflicts, which delay decision-making and implementation of projects.
THREE years after multiparty politics was introduced in local governance, many councillors are yet to come to terms with the system. This is revealed in a report titled: “The Impact of Political Pluralism in Local Governmentsâ€, which was released recently.
In many local governments, such as Kayunga, Rakai, Bundibugyo and Masindi districts, Kira Town Council, Kawempe and Makindye divisions, councillors have failed to implement important decisions due to political differences.
As a result, some local leaders are calling for a revision of the system so that party politics is only practised at the national level.
In Kira Town Council, some councillors wanted to pass a vote of no confidence in the mayor, Mamerito Mugerwa, largely because he belongs to the NRM, while many of the councillors are of the opposition.
In Kawempe Division, the chairman, Nasser Takuba, vowed not to endorse the division budget over what he called ‘sabotage’ by councillors, mainly from a rival party.
“They cut my allowances and increased theirs because they do not support me politically,†Takuba said.
A few months ago, Moyo district chairman Peter Iku Dolo complained that some district leaders from a different political party were failing him.
“Councillors find it hard to debate against their party positions for fear of losing their seats,†reads the report that was commissioned by the Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA) under the European Development Fund (EDF).
“When we went into party politics, people were not sensitised on what to do. Councillors on the opposition came with one thing in mind — to oppose everything, even if it is good for the community,†says Mugerwa.
He cites his area where some councillors opposed the construction of roads and acquisition of a grader.
The report also points out that independent councillors do not participate in council deliberations since they are always at crossroads. In some districts, they sign memorandums of understanding with the leading party.
It was also found that some councillors do not take disciplinary action against their party members who misbehave.
ULGA president John Wycliffe Karazarwe commends the Government for amending the Local Governments Act to enable the election of lower local councils.
However, he says, failure to hold fresh elections is affecting the multiparty system because the existing councils were elected under the Movement system.
The Electoral Commission says the elections have delayed due to lack of funds to organise them. The report advises the Ministry of Local Government to sensitise local governments on political pluralism to promote good governance.
The ministry, the report says, should work with established stakeholders like ULGA or ULAA.
“There is also a need for capacity building for councils and the public on the operations of political parties,†Karazarwe says.
The local government ministry and ULGA have a capacity-building programme, funded by the EDF. It kicked off in April last year. According to the coordinator, Rose Gamwera, sensitisation of councillors on the multiparty dispensation is in high gear.
“We reviewed the curriculum. We are moving into the next phase of meeting councillors,†she says.
Karazarwe says stakeholders should consider the earlier proposal of limiting political parties to the national level to stop the inconveniences to local governments.
The former local government minister, Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, in an earlier interview, said the disruption that multiparty politics would bring to the cohesion of local governance was envisaged.
However, for uniformity, the country could not have two systems of administration. It would be a contradiction since Parliament, which makes laws, is under multiparty, while the local governments, that implement 70% of these laws, are under a no-party system.
It was also envisaged that without the multiparty system, voters would have been deprived of their rights to vote for local leaders through their political parties.
The report recommends that lower level party structures be facilitated to mobilise party activities, including inducting members on the new political dispensation.
“Capacity building programmes by political parties should be designed to meet the needs of specific individuals at different local governments,†the report says.
The report also recommends that the Political Party Act be implemented to legalise funding of political parties by the Government.
It also calls for a working relationship among councillors from different political groupings, through regular dialogue and meetings to reduce conflicts, which delay decision-making and implementation of projects.