Minister tells district local governments to focus on service delivery

DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT 

MOROTO-The minister for local government Tom Butime has asked local government to focus on achieving results on the quality and quantity of services rendered to the public.

He cited the sectors of health, education, works, production and community-based services as those in dire need by the communities.

Butime said this could be coupled with regular client acceptable surveys to obtain citizens feedback on the value and measure of services.

The minister made the remarks on Monday while addressing the 24th Uganda local government association annual general meeting held at Leslona Hotel in Moroto town.

 "The centre will continue to develop and strengthen systems in the district local governments (DLGs)," Butime noted.

He said government will engage the various sectors to compile and disseminate the required national standards for DLG's..

On sustainable development goals - SDGs, the minister implored DLG's on set targets and indicators on how to measure progress in achieving the global agenda. "The goals will be implemented at the local levels," Butime said.

Butime, however said government had completed the induction of councillors in the eastern part of the country. He said the funds are now available to roll out the exercise in the remaining local governments. This shall be done before the end of financial year 2018/19.

He disclosed that the procurement of vehicles for district chairpersons          were in advanced stage. "We have also earmarked funds to procure vehicles for chairpersons for the new districts effective 2019 alongside cars for municipal mayors," Butime said.

The minister further said in 2018, Parliament approved a US dollar 50.4 million thus local economic growth support-LEGS to support agricultural productivity.

Others include water supply, irrigation and micro-finance. And this will be implemented in 17 districts of Gomba, Kabarole, Nakaseke, Ntoroko, Kumi, Bunyangabu and Kyenjojo. More districts include Kibuku, Alebtong, Katakwi, Adjumani, Buyende, Buikwe, Nwoya, Rukungiri, Tororo and Luwero.

"The developments highlighted call for urgent need to reposition the local governments within the legal framework of decentralisation," Butime added.

He said government shall progressively address the problem of the inadequate funding of local governments, while also increasing the volumes of the discretionary grants.

Butime said the local government ministry will continue engaging other ministries, departments and agencies to address the inconsistencies in policies.

"You are aware we intend to cause amendments of local government Act CAP 243 to address emerging issues," he said.

He commended DLGs for the dedicated service rendered across the country.

The outgoing ULGA president George Mutabazi said the association has had to battle a lot with its sustainability.

"ULGA is our mouth piece that we should struggle and maintain as DLGs," he said.

Mutabazi said DLGs are still in backward state, more especially the youth in these areas are badly off.

On Karamoja, he said the sub region was key in development of the country given the mineral and livestock potential in the area.

The meeting was held under the theme, "Repositioning local government institutions and service delivery under the effective constitutional policy of decentralisation-improving coordination between central government and local government mandate.

It was attended by the state minister for local government Jenipher Namuyangu, LC3s chairpersons, district speakers, operation wealth creation officials and chairpersons among others.