Minister Balaam Barugahara Highlights Corruption, Inefficiency in Local Governments

Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara has stirred significant debate by openly criticizing the state of Uganda’s decentralised governance system. He alleges that widespread corruption, phantom employees, and weak oversight mechanisms have permeated local government structures, leading to a persistent failure in service delivery.

During a television appearance, Balaam pointed fingers at district service commissions, citing instances of job selling and irregularities in recruitment processes. He specifically mentioned Masindi District Service Commission as a hotspot for such corrupt practices.

The minister also raised alarms about the health sector, detailing issues like ghost workers and the disappearance of medicines from district health facilities. He questioned how medications intended for public use vanish so quickly after reaching hospitals, implying a systemic leak.

Barugahara further scrutinised the Parish Development Model (PDM), noting that despite uniform funding, the outcomes vary dramatically between parishes. He attributes these disparities not to a lack of resources, but to inefficiency and mismanagement at the local administrative level.

He stressed the urgent need for enhanced accountability, questioning why underperforming officials remain in their positions. The minister suggested that stricter monitoring and consequences for poor performance are essential to curb corruption and inefficiency that have plagued local governments for years.

Balaam also hinted at potential policy changes, particularly concerning public servants engaging in private practice, which he believes creates conflicts of interest and facilitates the misuse of public resources.

While his candid remarks acknowledge deep-rooted governance challenges, they have reignited the conversation about the overall effectiveness of Uganda’s decentralisation model and the necessity for potential structural reforms to ensure efficient service delivery and accountability.

Source: Nile Post