OPPOSITION LEADERS CALL ON M7 TO EMPOWER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR ACCELERATED NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
By Aggrey Baba
“The crumbs from the table are not enough for the many,” declared National Unity Platifoam’s (NUP), Hon. Frank Kabuye Kibirige, the Member of Parliament for Kasanda South, as he laid bare the harsh realities faced by local governments across Uganda. Speaking during a live discussion on television on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Kabuye urged the government to urgently address the challenges plaguing local governments, which, despite being the backbone of service delivery, remain underfunded and under-resourced. He called for a shift in the national focus, emphasizing that empowering local governments is not just a political necessity, but an economic one.
Kabuye’s frustration was palpable as he addressed the slow pace of development and the systemic failures that have hindered progress. “If local governments are to truly serve the people, they need the power and resources to do so,” Kabuye stated, stressing that the decentralization process, which was meant to bring government closer to the people, has instead been undermined by corruption and inefficient resource distribution. He likened the situation to a farmer who neglects his crops, despite the fertile soil, the harvest will never thrive without proper care.
According to Kabuye, local governments have been left struggling to meet the needs of their citizens because of the centralized control over resources. “When the head is rotten, the whole body suffers,” he said, pointing out that the lack of adequate funding and decision-making authority at the local level has made it nearly impossible for local leaders to fulfill their duties. The absence of support, Kabuye argued, is directly contributing to the growing inequality between Uganda’s urban elite and its rural populations, leaving many Ugandans in dire need of basic services.
Following Kabuye’s remarks, Godfrey Luyombya, the Speaker of Nakawa Division, weighed in with his own concerns, reinforcing Kabuye’s call for reform. Luyombya agreed that local governments have been stifled by weak laws and poor leadership, leading to inefficiencies in service delivery. “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” Luyombya noted, highlighting how weak local government laws and ineffective leaders are preventing Uganda’s local governments from fulfilling their potential.
Luyombya also emphasized that local leaders, particularly mayors, are failing to effectively oversee their regions due to a lack of accountability. “When the head is rotten, the whole body suffers,” he repeated, urging that local government laws need urgent reform to create a more efficient and accountable system. Luyombya insisted that local governments must be given more autonomy and resources, allowing leaders to focus on the specific needs of their communities. “The system is broken; it’s time to fix it,” he said, urging lawmakers to act swiftly to overhaul the legal and operational frameworks governing local governments.
The two leaders agreed that Uganda’s development cannot thrive unless local governments are empowered and allowed to operate independently. Kabuye emphasized that decentralization should not remain just a concept but should be supported with concrete actions that provide local governments with the necessary resources and authority to lead. “What is promised is not always delivered,” Kabuye said, stressing the need for greater transparency and accountability in the distribution of resources to ensure that local governments can serve their people effectively.
In conclusion, both Kabuye and Luyombya urged the government to prioritize local governance in its development agenda. “If we are to move forward as a nation, we must ensure that the fruits of development are shared equally,” Luyombya concluded, reflecting the collective sentiment that Uganda’s success hinges on the empowerment of local governments. The question remains; will these calls for change be heeded, or will local governments continue to struggle while the nation’s resources remain concentrated in the hands of a few? (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).