Uganda celebrates local gov't day in Mbarara

By Jeff Andrew Lule

UGANDA is to join other African Union states to commemorate the African Day of Decentralization and Local Development (ADDLD). The day was initiated by the 20th session of AU.

The minister of local government, Adolf Mwesigye said this year's celebration will be used as an avenue to popularize decentralisation, educate the citizenry on their role, responsibilities and rights and provide accountability for the different government programmes, assess its impact and identifying key priorities.

He said this year's celebration will be held under the theme: "Alignment, Revitalization and Wealth Creation for Local Governments".

The celebration is to take place today, at Golf Course grounds in Mbarara district.

Mwesigye said the day will also be used to review the implementation and undertakings of the previous commemoration, and sensitise the public about their role in centralized service delivery.

He said President Yoweri Museveni will be the chief guest at the celebrations, having been the champion of decentralization.

President Museveni launched the decentralized policy in 1992, in fulfillment of the promise of National Resistance Movement (NRM), in the Ten Point Programme to democratize state power, promote self-governance and improve the provision of services in the country.  

It was entrenched in the 1995 Constitution and was operationalized through the enactment of the Local Governments Act of 1997.

"All activities of key sectors such as health, education, water and sanitation, transport, agriculture, have all been decentralized and local governments have taken full charge of service delivery," he noted.

He said this has been a hallmark of inclusiveness, efficiency and effectiveness.

The ministry's permanent secretary, Patrick Mutabwire said the theme builds on the new developments in the local government sector and changes in government priorities from poverty eradication to wealth creation and social economic transformation.