MP Warns of Collapsing Service Delivery Due to Underfunded Local Governments

Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the MP for Bardege-Layibi Division, has voiced strong concerns over the plight of local government leaders and the subsequent impact on public service delivery. Speaking at a recent induction session for new Members of Parliament, Mapenduzi highlighted that despite local governments forming the bedrock of essential services like education, healthcare, and roads, they consistently receive inadequate financial support.

Mapenduzi revealed that district chairpersons, who provide crucial political and administrative leadership, have seen no increase in their gross salary of approximately Shs 2.3 million (before taxes) for over two decades. This meager income often falls short of what some technical officers they supervise earn, creating an untenable leadership dynamic.

Furthermore, the MP pointed out that local governments are allocated a mere nine percent of the national budget, a fraction he argues is insufficient to meet the growing demands for service delivery. “If parliament does not care about local governments, then local governments will have very little to do for the citizens at the grassroots,” he stated.

A significant contributing factor to the erosion of local government autonomy, according to Mapenduzi, is the Public Finance Management Act of 2015. This act mandates that all locally generated revenue be remitted to the Consolidated Fund, preventing local governments from directly utilizing funds they collect without supplementary parliamentary approval. This process, he explained, stifles their ability to plan and spend effectively.

Echoing these sentiments, Kilak North MP Anthony Akol emphasized the long-standing disparity in salaries and called for Parliament to address it. He also raised concerns about the educational qualifications of some elected local leaders, suggesting a minimum requirement to better equip them for their supervisory roles.

Mapenduzi concluded by stressing that for local governments to effectively deliver services, Parliament must provide commensurate financing, institutional support, and better welfare for their leaders. He urged MPs to actively engage with and support local councils beyond merely intervening when problems arise, advocating for proactive oversight rather than reactive investigations.

This article is based on reporting from The Observer (Uganda).