Adherence to Local Governments Act Empowers Minister Barugahara in Graft Fight

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reports that Uganda’s Ministry of Local Government is urging district and municipal officials to strictly follow the Local Governments Act, government circulars and administrative directives as part of efforts to improve accountability and curb corruption. In an interview published on Saturday, August 22, 2026, Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya said compliance by chief administrative officers, town clerks, executive councillors and other local leaders strengthens the ministry’s ability to demand answers and enforce standards.

The article says the ministry has also issued specific instructions tied to reported malpractice in Parish Development Model implementation. According to the report, a July 2026 directive ordered disciplinary action against parish chiefs, town agents and other public servants implicated in wrongdoing, including removal from service where applicable under the rules. The ministry is also said to be requiring local accounting officers to submit progress updates on corruption investigations.

Watchdog Uganda quotes a town clerk from Kira Municipality as saying the Act gives the broad legal framework while circulars provide practical guidance for implementation. The piece argues that the real test of decentralization is whether these rules improve services at the local level, such as health care, roads, schools and delivery of government programmes. The broader context is Uganda’s push to tighten oversight of decentralized public spending and reduce leakage in flagship initiatives such as PDM and Emyooga.