Local governments have been urged to improve supervision, procurement and management of public resources to ensure increased government funding translates into better services for citizens. The call was made by Minister of State for Microfinance Shartsi Kutesa Musherure during regional budget consultative engagements for the 2027/28 financial year held on Monday at Hoima Resort Hotel.
Musherure told local government leaders from the Bunyoro and Tooro sub-regions that although government continues to expand fiscal space and increase resources to local governments, weaknesses in management are undermining service delivery. She said weak supervision by accounting officers and heads of department contributes to poor performance, misuse of resources and delays in addressing service delivery bottlenecks.
Musherure also challenged local governments to address procurement delays, weak contract management, cost overruns and inadequate maintenance of public infrastructure, saying these undermine the quality and value for money of government investments. She said local government leaders have a responsibility to ensure that public resources result in tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
She added that local governments play a critical role in creating an environment for investment, supporting production and market access, and translating national priorities into jobs, wealth creation and better services at community level. Musherure said domestic revenue mobilisation will be central to the 2027/28 budget, with government seeking to broaden the tax base using data and technology, reduce revenue leakages, improve compliance and mobilise complementary sources of financing.
She also assured local government leaders that oil revenues would be managed transparently and sustainably in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act, Cap. 171. Musherure said government will also enforce budget reforms aimed at strengthening budget discipline, credibility and accountability, internal controls and audit systems, as well as procurement and accountability for results.
The consultation comes as local government leaders raise concerns over inadequate infrastructure and limited resources that they say are making service delivery difficult. Several leaders told the meeting that shortages of road equipment and inadequate funding are particularly affecting road construction and maintenance.
Stephen Rubaihayo, Chief Administrative Officer of Kabarole District, said many local governments, especially newly created districts, have little or no road equipment, making it difficult to maintain major roads. He also called for the immediate induction of newly elected local government leaders to help them understand council procedures and responsibilities.
Vincent Ssemuga, Speaker of Kagadi District Local Government, said inadequate funding and delays in central government disbursements were affecting service delivery in several districts, particularly in health, education and roads. Daniel Kisakye, Senior Planner for Masindi Municipality, said much of the road equipment provided by government is no longer operational, further limiting the ability of local governments to maintain roads.
Eng. Sulaina Namusoke, from the Department of District, Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR) at the Ministry of Works and Transport, said the ministry was working to ensure that districts receive road equipment. She said the ministry was also strengthening regional mechanical workshops to enable local governments to service and repair road equipment on time.
The two-day consultation brings together accounting officers, district planners, LCV chairpersons, civil society organisations, district engineers and Resident District Commissioners from the Bunyoro and Tooro sub-regions.
The engagements are expected to form part of the wider consultations ahead of the formulation of the 2027/28 national budget and to guide discussions between local governments, lower local councils and other stakeholders-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
