Kadaga wants review of decentralisation policy

The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, reckons that the decentralisation policy, adopted in the 1995 Constitution, needs to be reviewed to improve the effectiveness of local governments.
She also argues funding for local governments needs to be increased.
In its current state, Ms Kadaga said, decentralisation promotes individualism. She said while the policy has created jobs, Ugandans have become more in-ward looking.
“I have been told that there are districts which do not advertise (jobs) because the natives are still at university. So for those years, there are no services,” Ms Kadaga said.
She was officiating at the launch of the capacity development district local councils’ project on Thursday in Seeta, Mukono District.
The event was also attended by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Gen Moses Ali.

Funding issue
Ms Kadaga said one of their biggest challenges on performance in local governments is funding.
She noted that unlike previously when local governments were able to raise funds through sources like markets, they have been incapacitated after the central government took over management of markets.
“There are councils which cannot even sit because they have no capacity to pay councillors. There is also disparity in pay in different districts, KCCA pays in millions while other councils cannot even raise Shs20,000 to pay councillors,” said Ms Kadaga.
Gen Ali said while the intention of the decentralisation policy was good, there is need to review it because it has been in existence for more than 10 years and several gaps have been identified.
He said during the review, consideration will be made towards increasing funding to local governments.
Gen Ali also agreed with the Speaker that decentralisation has created problems in districts across the country.
He said decentralisation had contributed to the high levels of corruption among district officials.
“We realised that funds which are sent for development are diverted by district officials. These officials own beautiful buildings and this is questionable because we know how much they earn,” said Gen Ali.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Uganda District Councils’ Speakers Association, Mr Moses Mukisa, called for review of qualifications of district councillors.
“These councillors handle sensitive documents and it is important that they have the requisite qualifications. We propose that the minimum qualification should be an Ordinary Level certificate,” said Mukisa.