Why ULGA leaders want central government to delegate project work to districts

By Denish Ongora (denish.ongora@vol.co.ug)

Lira

Northern Uganda leaders have requested government to allow them implement developments on their own.

The chairperson Uganda local Government Association-ULGA Richard Rwabuhinga noted that central government is still carrying the burden of implementing developments at local governments, which could have been undertaken by districts.

Speaking at a meeting of ULGA members from northern Uganda at Pauline Hotel-Lira, Rwabuhinga said central government is implementing some projects supposed to be done by districts, despite the  districts having procurement departments to do the same.

Rwabuhinga also decried suspension of staff recruitment at district level, leaving several unfilled vacancies.

Some of the achievements of ULGA listed at the meeting includes; lobbying government for funds to facilitate planning and tourism promotion, lobbying for more funding from Uganda Road Fund to support roads maintenance, increase of agriculture budget, and remittance of funds returned to central pool.

However, some of the leaders in attendance decried low funding to road works and delays to remit revenue.

Kole district chairman who doubles as ULGA president for northern Uganda, Andrew Awany said they will continue lobbying government to address these challenges.