local government 7 September 2026 Nile Post

Tororo Leaders Challenge Poor Performance Ranking, Cite Methodological Flaws

Tororo Municipality's last-place finish in a national performance assessment has been met with skepticism by local leaders, who question the validity of the findings and the assessment's methodology. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/369658/tororo-leaders-question-credibility-of-poor-performance-ranking

Tororo Municipality finds itself at the center of a controversy following its dismal performance in the 2025 Local Government Management of Service Delivery Performance Assessment, where it ranked last out of 176 local governments. The assessment, conducted by the Office of the Prime Minister, assigned Tororo a score of 33.7%, a result that has left municipal officials deeply concerned about the municipality’s reputation and their ability to engage confidently in public forums.

Town Clerk Ayub Alikwan Kisubi expressed the discomfort caused by the ranking, noting that it leads to a “stigma attached to being the worst-performing local government.” He added that the perceived failure impacts their willingness to introduce themselves at meetings and can lead to a loss of financial resources, as government funds are often redirected from poorly performing to better-performing entities.

However, the credibility of the assessment is being questioned by some leaders. Recent inspections by the Ministry of Local Government in other highly-ranked municipalities revealed significant issues with service delivery and allegations of corruption, leading to arrests. This has fueled suspicions among Tororo leaders that the assessment scores may not accurately reflect the reality on the ground.

Peter Ekikina, President of the Municipal Development Forum, suggested that some assessors might have been compromised, arguing that “what is real is not what is actual on the ground.” Kisubi further called for a review of the assessment criteria, advocating for a shift in focus from documentation to tangible service delivery aspects like cleanliness, trade order, security lighting, and road conditions.

Conversely, some officials, like Western Division Chairperson Manyadi Al-Jamal Jayz, acknowledge that the ranking highlights existing challenges within the municipality, citing stalled projects and poor road infrastructure as evidence.

The debate underscores a critical need for Tororo Municipality to address its service delivery gaps, regardless of the assessment’s perceived accuracy, to improve its standing in future evaluations.