Balaam calls for tougher anti-corruption measures in local governments

What the report says

Kampala, Uganda — Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara has urged stronger anti-corruption controls and tighter accountability in Uganda’s local governments, saying misuse of public money is weakening service delivery. He made the remarks at the opening of the Financial Year 2027/2028 National Negotiations between central government and local governments, a process convened by the Local Government Finance Commission.

According to The Independent, Balaam said the real test of fiscal decentralisation is not how much money is transferred, but whether funds are fairly allocated, properly used and turned into better services. He pointed to corruption, weak procurement systems and poor oversight as major risks for schools, health facilities, roads, water services and other local projects. He also encouraged broader monitoring by communities, journalists and local leaders so citizens can track what is being done in their areas.

The minister warned against officials bypassing established procedures, citing an alleged case in Mbarara where a town clerk took over procurement and payment roles after removing the procurement officer. He also called for more predictable and equitable financing, and said local revenue collections had risen significantly, with a target of reaching 1 trillion shillings in the new financial year.

The negotiations are part of Uganda’s budget planning cycle and help define how conditional grants are set and used. The talks, which cover areas such as private sector development, manufacturing, agro-industrialisation and human capital development, also feed into wider budget consultations and broader government growth plans.