Ankole leaders call for minimum qualifications for councillors

A man casts his vote during the 2016 General Election in Kampala. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- Owomugasho also noted that the lack of minimum qualifications leads to poor service delivery, as councilors cannot engage in meaningful debates or analyse documents prepared by technocrats.
Leaders in Ankole Sub-region have urged the government to establish minimum qualifications for councillors at various levels, citing concerns over poor service delivery and ineffective legislation.
Rwampara district Chairperson, Mr Richard Owomugasho, emphasised the need for councilors to have at least a Senior Six education.
"I normally see people keeping quiet in council because there is nothing that they can contribute... I agree with the recommendation that these people should be at a level of at least Senior Six and above," he said.
Owomugasho also noted that the lack of minimum qualifications leads to poor service delivery, as councilors cannot engage in meaningful debates or analyse documents prepared by technocrats.
"You cannot have a council where councilors just sit, listen, and cannot contribute or analyze anything. They are there just to say yes to anything and get allowances," he explained.
Mr Deo Atuhaire, Buhweju district Chairman, pointed out that the government has set minimum qualifications for district chairpersons, but not for councilors.
"You are not qualified, you are working with the district chairperson who must have qualifications of Senior Six and above, then you have a CAO or Town clerk who must be a graduate, and you expect a speaker who did not go to school to chair a council meeting?" he asked.
Atuhaire emphasised the importance of having educated councilors, saying, "How does he deal with it when council proceedings are in English?" He added that the lack of minimum qualifications for councilors makes it difficult for them to work effectively with educated officials.
Other leaders, such as Jaffer Bassajabalaba and David Kakama, suggested that the minimum qualifications for councilors should be at least Senior Four or Ordinary Level certificate. Kakama noted that councilors without qualifications cannot play an oversight role, as they are unable to interpret documents prepared by educated officials.
"You can't play an oversight role when those you are supposed to supervise are educated and you are not," Kakama said. "True, you can be loved by voters as a councilor and you do not have any qualification, but you are dealing with a sub-county chief, an accountant, health inspectors, veterinary officers who are all graduates. You will not be able to interpret their documents, and will use this opportunity to do what they want."
Kakama also noted that the lack of minimum qualifications for councilors can lead to corruption and mismanagement of funds. "Even when monitoring projects like construction of schools, there are Bills Of Quantities (BOQ's) that have to be made, and that means if you cannot interpret them, the engineer and contractors may connive, do shoddy work, and swindle the rest of the money," he explained.
Ms Allen Tushabe Muhumuza, councilor representing Kyeizooba Sub County in Bushenyi district, said that the lack of minimum qualifications for councilors can also lead to disunity and division in councils. "Some councilors who are not educated become jealous when they see other councilors supplementing in meetings and asking questions during council meetings, saying that the educated councilors are proud. This at times brings division and disunity which also affects service delivery," she said.
Ms Jacqueline Kankunda, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner Mbarara City North, noted that councilors without qualifications may end up signing wrong documents and being used by technical people. "Councilors should possess a minimum of Ordinary level certificate; you find that the majority do not contribute to council business because they do not speak English," she said.
Mr Francis Mwijukye, Member of Parliament for Buhweju, emphasized the importance of having educated leaders, saying, "It's right to have minimum qualifications even if it is the LC I chairperson. How will you give people stamps when you don't know how to read and write? If they say that to be a councilor needs one to be with a degree and you find you don't have it, then go and do other things instead of complaining about salaries because how will you be a councilor when you don't know how to interpret anything in English?"
Mr Apollo Kakonge, the executive director West Ankole Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), noted that government officials often hide information in documents because they know councilors will not be able to interpret them. "It is always hard for councilors to make informed decisions, understand, and analyze documents if they are not educated. You cannot dump ignorant people in councils and expect better services; at least councilors should have a minimum qualification of Senior Four," he said.
The issue of minimum qualifications for councilors has been a topic of discussion in Uganda. In 2021, the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) recommended that political leaders have minimum formal education. The Local Governments Act also emphasizes the importance of competence in local government leaders.
However, some leaders, such as Isingiro district chairperson Aaron Turahi, raised concerns about areas with limited educated people.
By Rajab Mukombozi, Hillary Twinamatsiko and Cosline Nakahiira.