TOPIC: HOW TO MAKE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DELIVER

VENUE: AFRICAN CENTRE FOR MEDIA EXCELLENCE,

BUNGA, KAMPALA



PRESENTER: DUNSTAN BALABA
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER ADJUMANI /
CHAIRPERSON CAOS ASSOCIATION



DATE: 16
TH
MAY 2014


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Presentation layout
1. Introduction
2. Local Government set up
3. Legal Frame Work
4. Services offered by the Local Governments
5. What Local Governments have been able to deliver
6. How Local Governments can be made to deliver effectively and
efficiently
7. Conclusion

2
Introduction

Public Service Delivery is done either by the Central Government or
Local Governments
Public Services can also be delivered by the Private Sector through
contracting out or under the Private Public Partnership arrangement
Local Governments do the delivery of the essential services that affect
the well being of the Local people.






3
Legal Frame work
a) The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda
b) The Local Governments Act Cap 243
c) The Local Council Courts Act 2009
d) Many other laws that empower Local Government and give
mandate on what they can deliver

4
Services delivered by Local Governments
The second schedules to the LGA Cap 243 stipulates the
functions and services LGs are responsible;-
a) Services to be delivered by the District Councils
b) Services to be delivered by the Urban Councils
c) District Councils to devolve to Lower Local Government
Councils
d) Preserve of the City or Municipal Councils (not to be
developed)
e) City or Municipal Council to devolve to Divisions

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Local Government Set
A. In Rural Areas
- District Local Government
- Sub-county Local Government

B. In Urban Area
- City Council
- Municipal Council
- Division Council
- Town Council

- Currently, we have:
a) III District
b) 1,381 Sub-counties
c) 22 Municipal Councils
d) 63 Municipal Divisions
e) 174 Town Councils
f) 57,691 Villages



6
What Local Governments have delivered

Local participation enhanced and strengthened
Democracy enhanced
Representation of the marginalized groups
- 1/3 of Councils are Women
- Two Youths
- Two disabled
- Two elderly
- 1/3 of the composition of statutory bodies are Women
Access to justice enhanced through the Local Council Courts
Graded Laws (Ordinances)
Budget preparation approved and Execution by the Local Governments
themselves.
Accountability enhanced through the Public Accounts Committees
Service delivery enhanced
- Education
- Health
- Water
- Production
- Roads, etc


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How can Local Governments be made to deliver effectively and efficiently
A. Government;-
Increase funding from the current 15% of the total National Budget
to about 40%
Discretion be given to Local Government on the spending areas
Build Capacity of Local Government Leaders on;
- Leadership
- Planning
- Financial Management
- Procurement Management
Refocus reforms on Local Governments to Economic Units and not
only Administrative convenience

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Continuation
Rebuild our Education System to be more practical and innovation-
oriented
Give Political support to Local Governments on Local Revenue
Enhancement
Strengthen monitoring and Inspection
Adequate Logistical support in terms of transport facilities (Ambulances,
Motorcycles for extension workers) and Electricity at all District
Headquarters and Health Units.
Equip facilities like Health Units, Schools, etc
Improve on the emoluments for all cadres of staff to match with the
workload, standard of living, Region

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Continuation
Build trust in Local Governments that they can
deliver
Staffing be improved especially with the critical
cadres Health Workers, Engineers, Community
Development Officers, Extension Workers
Recognize good performing Local Governments
Carryout continuous mind set change programs



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B. Local Government themselves
Pool resources for the common good
Share available staff / equipment
Set proper priorities that affect the people
Proper utilization of the available resources
Look beyond what Government provides
Develop a Culture of Maintenance of Investments
Increase monitoring and supervision by the Political
and Technical staff respectively
Recognize good performance of individual Officers

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C. Other players (Community, Media, etc)
Demand for quality services
Demand for Accountability
Joint hands and work together e.g. cleaning of Health
Unit compounds
Appreciate what is being delivered

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What can Uganda Journalists do in covering Local Governments
Carryout investigative journalism, visit Local
Governments and see for your selves
Pick out also the good things done by Local
Government
Appreciate what has been done by Local
Governments and show the world
Develop a score card for performance of Local
Governments
Fight corruption together and enhance transparency,
accountability and integrity
Share a lot with Local Government Leaders

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Conclusion
Local Government are the engines of service delivery and
delivery and this shall remain so
Rapid population growth hinders effective service delivery
Rapid urbanization hinders effective service delivery
We need to refocus on results, improve resourcing of Local
Governments, develop a competitive framework, establish a
robust feedback mechanism
As journalists, you can join hands with the Local Governments
in harnessing the potential and thus improve service delivery
to our people.

Thank You.
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