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By Spy Uganda
Newly appointed Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has unveiled an ambitious agenda aimed at fighting corruption, improving accountability, and accelerating service delivery in local governments across Uganda.
Speaking shortly after being vetted by Parliament on Monday, Barugahara said one of his key priorities will be ending the long-standing practice of local government officers serving in the same districts for decades, a situation he said has fostered corruption and entrenched networks of abuse.
“I want to remove that habit of keeping people in one position in a district. They become chiefs of districts. How can someone serve 20 years in one single district?” Barugahara said.
The minister revealed plans to work within the provisions of the Local Government Act to introduce regular transfers of local government workers, particularly those appointed by district service commissions.
“Every three years, we should rotate these workers so that we remove the network of thieves. People have been stealing government money,” he said.
Barugahara emphasized that his ministry will focus on strengthening oversight of local government operations through training, guidance, and strict monitoring of public funds sent to districts by the central government.
“My focus will be on following up, guiding and training our local government officers and ensuring that the money sent by the President and the central government reaches the right beneficiaries,” he noted.
The minister also issued a stern warning to Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), sub-county chiefs and other local government officials whom he accused of absenteeism and poor work ethic.
According to Barugahara, the ministry plans to introduce a biometric attendance monitoring system that will track reporting times, field visits and overall performance of government workers.
“Your time of reporting to office late and coming as and when you wish has come to an end,” he said.
He explained that attendance records would be linked to a centralized monitoring system at the Ministry of Local Government, with disciplinary action taken against habitual absentees.
“If you miss out on five different occasions without permission of the Permanent Secretary, count yourself out of that district,” Barugahara warned.
The minister linked his anti-corruption campaign to the broader goal of poverty eradication, arguing that effective service delivery at the local level is essential for improving the livelihoods of millions of Ugandans.
“We will not achieve a proper transition unless we help the poor in the village who make up about 33.1 percent of our population. We need to help those people get out of poverty using the available government programs,” he said.
Barugahara also disclosed that preparations for long-awaited Local Council (LC) elections are progressing after government secured the required funding.
He credited his predecessor, Raphael Magyezi, for obtaining the necessary resources before leaving office.
“I want to thank the outgoing minister. Before he left, he had acquired the money. What is left is to give it to the Electoral Commission to conduct the elections,” he said.
Barugahara described the organization of LC elections as his first major assignment in office, saying every village should have an opportunity to elect new leaders.
“That is my first assignment, to ensure every village gets a new LC,” he stated.
The minister further warned local council leaders accused of abusing their authority, particularly through misuse of LC1 stamps, that voters would soon have an opportunity to hold them accountable.
“The LCs who have been stealing people using LC1 stamps should prepare to exit immediately, honourably. Otherwise, the vote will apply,” he said.
Barugahara’s remarks signal a tougher approach toward corruption and accountability within local governments as he begins his tenure at the helm of the ministry. His proposed reforms are expected to spark debate among local government officials while raising expectations among citizens seeking improved service delivery and greater transparency in public administration.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/minister-balaam-vows-crackdown-on-corruption-in-local-govt-announces-rotation-of-district-officials/
