Leaders want corrupt officials interdicted

Local Government leaders from Northern Uganda have called on government to interdict all public servants involved in corrupt tendencies and those who neglect their duties.

Transparency International executive director Peter Wandera addresses the breakfast meeting while Julius Maserek the principal urban officer in the ministry of Local Government looks on. Photo by Danielle Nalukenge

This follows a report by Transparency International Uganda (TIU), which highlighted absenteeism and corruption as key challenges of service delivery in public institutions especially with the health and education sector.  

In their recent report conducted in the last two years in Lira, Oyam and Apac districts, absenteeism and misuse of resources were found to be major issues affecting service delivery.

The project, "Enhancing Local Government service delivery" was aimed at enhancing effective and efficient service delivery in Northern Uganda. It was funded by USAID under Governance, Accountability, Participation and Performance (GAPP) program.

The TIU Executive Director, Peter Wandera said; "You find when most officials have gone on leave at health centres and teachers missing at school."

TIU has established Voluntary Accountability Committees (VAC) to continue helping in monitoring service delivery together with local leaders.

Lira RDC Emmanuel Mwaka puts his point across during the plenary session. Photo by Danielle Nalukenge

The Oyam district Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Steven Ouma said such workers need to be interdicted. "We only need parents and communities commitment to take responsibility to monitor public workers," he added.

"If officials are found not doing their work, they should be laid off and dismissed," he noted.

The Lira district Residential District Commissioner (RDC), Emmanuel Mwaka said there was mismanagement of Universal Primary and Secondary School grants, by Sub County chiefs but the trend changed since TIU came in the area.

The Principal Urban Officer at the Ministry of Local Government, Julius Masereka said they are working on strategies to fight absenteeism and corruption to improve service delivery.

"It is hurting to find when patients are stranded at health centers, no medicines in hospitals and when teachers are not at school," he added.