Local governments decry poor service delivery
KAMPALA, September 5, 2025 — The Uganda Local Governments Association [ULGA] and Urban Authorities’ Association of Uganda [UAAU] have petitioned Parliament, decrying poor service delivery in local governments.
The two umbrella associations are demanding quick and targeted reforms to restore efficiency in service delivery, and boost accountability as the country prepares for the next general elections in which most ULGA, and UAAU leaders will participate as candidates.
The petition by ULGA President, Andrew Awany, who is also Kole District’s LCV Chairperson, was presented by Buyanja East County Member of Parliament, Emely Kugonza, during a plenary session chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Wednesday.
The key issues cited as affecting local governments in the country include poor induction, abysmal pay, staffing shortages, transport woes, neglected road maintenance, weak planning, revenue mismanagement, and electoral timing issues.
According to Kugonza, urgent well-funded and coordinated interventions are non-negotiable to align with Uganda’s development goals and constitutional mandates.
“Elected leaders in the 2021-2026 term have had no proper induction, leaving them unprepared for their roles. ULGA wants Parliament to fund a structured onboarding programme with clear timelines and impact assessments,” he added.
Among others, the petition established that salaries are another sore point. District LC5 Chairpersons and Mayors earn Shs 2.38 million, Vice Chairpersons Shs 1.19 million, District Speakers Shs 724,000, and LC1 Chairpersons a paltry Shs10,000 monthly.
Low pay fuels demoralisation, turnover, and weak oversight the petition argues, pressing for immediate salary hikes.
The petition also identified transport as a major hurdle, with leaders unable to monitor projects or attend national meetings due to vehicle shortages. Consequently, ULGA demanded urgent procurement of vehicles for district, city, and municipal leaders, with a transparent timeline.
Other pertinent points in the petition included staffing, which they say is equally dire, with local governments limping along at 30 to 60 percent capacity.
New cities and towns also face the challenges of wage caps, leaving critical posts vacant and crippling education, health, and public works.
Additionally, road maintenance is in shambles, with ULGA calling for graders, rollers, and tipper trucks for cities and municipalities, plus tractors for town councils’ waste management.
Hundreds of new town councils and sub-counties, created in 2017/18, have never received road funds, stalling local economies.
ULGA proposes dedicated planning funds with Shs 500 million given to each district, Shs 300 million per municipality, Shs200 million per town council, and Shs100 million per sub-county.
Speaker Among praised ULGA’s petition as a key act of public participation, stressing that local governments are the backbone of service delivery. “These concerns demand urgent action under Rule 31,” she said.
The Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi requested for a day to prepare a response, to be presented at the next sitting.
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