Otafiire advises new minister on local govt issues

Mar 02, 2009

THE new Minister of Local Government, Adolf Mwesige, has said the challenges in his ministry are not unique and can be overcome.

By Raymond Baguma and Brian Mayanja

THE new Minister of Local Government, Adolf Mwesige, has said the challenges in his ministry are not unique and can be overcome.

Mwesige was speaking during the handover ceremony by the former minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire.

The ceremony was held on Tuesday at the ministry’s boardroom on Workers House in Kampala.

Otafiire said there was unfinished business in the ministry, which Mwesige had to grapple with.

He cited the proposal to give Kampala city a special status, creation of regional governments, increasing the emoluments of district councillors and payment of pension arrears.

Otafiire also said the proposal for a regional tier system should be suspended, saying it could create political conflict.

He said the ministry had instituted commissions of inquiry into the mismanagement of local governments and the final reports were given to the Police and the Inspectorate of Government for further action.

Otafiire also asked the new minister to reject demands for new districts, which he said, did not benefit the country.

“You also need to look into the emoluments of district councillors. With the decentralisation programme, we need quality councillors for local governments so that they can realise their roles efficiently,” Otafiire added.

Mwesige hailed Otafiire for his contribution to the ministry.

He said the briefing had given him a firm basis, adding that he would continuously consult with Otafiire on matters relating to the ministry.

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