Balaam Blames Graft and 'Untouchable' Staff for Paralysing Local Government Services

What the report says

Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara told Parliament that corruption and weak accountability are undermining service delivery in Uganda’s districts, according to Nile Post. Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts for Local Governments on Tuesday, he said bribery, interference in recruitment and officials acting as though they are beyond scrutiny have worsened performance in local government.

Barugahara, who appeared with his deputy Justine Nameere before a committee chaired by Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze, said some district departments have become difficult to manage because misconduct is allegedly entrenched. He urged MPs to back the ministry’s efforts to act against officials accused of corruption and financial mismanagement, saying the drive was aimed at improving public services rather than targeting individuals.

The minister also raised concerns about the decline of some districts that were once among the country’s better performers. He linked this to alleged manipulation in the selection of Chief Administrative Officers and said District Service Commissions had commercialised recruitment, with jobs being sold rather than awarded on merit.

Nile Post reported that the committee also questioned why the ministry was not relying more on anti-corruption agencies and why some financial-mismanagement reports reach Parliament late. Barugahara said some anti-corruption institutions have been weakened and that courts have at times released suspects. The discussion also touched on seven CAOs whose transfers have reportedly been blocked by the Permanent Secretary, and the minister issued new directions on how the matter should be handled.