LGs want more funding for post-COVID-19 handling

LOCKDOWN | LOCAL GOVERNMENT 

As the country starts relaxing COVID-19 lockdown, the Local Government (LG) leaders have called on Government to provide a special budget for districts to help in the post-COVID-19 period.

The leaders argue that since the lockdown was declared for the past three months, there has not been any revenue collection, leaving the districts without any source of money to deal with their challenges.

They noted that many of their revenue sources in various districts were affected as many people were rendered jobless.

The Iganga district chairperson, also doubling as the Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA) Vice President for Eastern Uganda, Patrick Kayemba said there is need to review all district budgets to include financial plan for the post COVID-19 period.

"Though the issues of COVID-19 have been centralized, it is the districts which are most affected. District officials can't even move because their vehicles were taken by the COVID-19 taskforces. District leaders need to assess the situation on ground to know those affected and what to do," he added.

This was during an online national discourse between district leaders and Civil Society, organized by ActionAid International to deliberate on the effects of COVID-19 in service delivery and recovery plan.

It was attended by districts chairpersons, Chief Administrative Officers, Chief Finance Officers and CSOs among others.

Kayemba said now that many Ugandans have no jobs and running back to villages, districts need to be supported with local development activities and enhance government programs to promote value addition, increase exports, and create jobs to improve people's livelihood.

He urged all LG leaders at various levels to work together during the trying moments to help their people.

"This is the time to work for your people and put your differences aside," he added.

Gerald Semakula, a researcher, Monitoring and Evaluation with Action Coalition for Development (ACODE), said the COVID-19 pandemic is a demonstration that the districts have no capacity to handle situations.

"Service delivery is driven by LGs. There is need for LGs to reclaim their position and come up with strategies that are going to be responsive in times of disasters. You must involve all actors for better approaches," he noted.

The AAU Programs Director, Henry Ogwal said government needs to decentralize the COVID-19 funding and programs to build the capacity of LGs to directly offer the relevant services to their people.

Ogwal said the biggest percentage of the funds should be sent directly to local governments since they deal directly with the people and know their challenges.

He called on districts to start registering the affected people for better planning, when they get funding.

Lamwo district speaker, Jimmy Amone districts' leadership is tied because they are not involved the planning process nor are they consulted by the line ministries.

The Gulu district boss, Martin Ojara Mapenduzi said the apart from challenges, the COVID-19 pademic has come with many lessons like the use of ICT gadgets, to ease communication even during calamities, irrespective of the distance.

The Kumi Chief Finance Officer, Peter Wandera said LGs should adopt automation of revenue collection for flexibility and as a tool to fight during revenue collection.