Ben Kumumanya: A Leading Voice in Uganda’s Decentralisation and Local Government Transformation

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda has profiled Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Local Government, as a prominent figure in the country’s decentralisation and local governance system. The article, datelined Kampala, places Kumumanya within Uganda’s long-running effort to shift decision-making and public service delivery closer to communities through local institutions.

According to the report, Uganda’s decentralisation framework is rooted in Chapter Eleven of the 1995 Constitution, with Article 176 identifying the district as the basic local government unit and providing for powers and responsibilities to be devolved from the central government. Watchdog Uganda says Kumumanya is widely regarded by local government practitioners for his command of the legal, constitutional and policy structures that guide districts, cities, municipalities, town councils and other administrative units.

The article cites local government officials who credit decentralisation with improving citizen participation, planning and responsiveness to community needs. Moses Otimong, Town Clerk of Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, is quoted as saying local leaders are better placed to understand and respond to their communities. Emmanuel Gakyaalo is also cited as saying local governments help connect citizens’ priorities to national programmes.

Watchdog Uganda reports Ministry of Local Government figures showing Uganda has 135 districts, 10 cities, 31 municipalities, 589 town councils, 1,487 sub-counties, 10,716 parishes and 71,218 villages. The piece frames Kumumanya’s role as important because managing this extensive structure requires policy guidance, capacity building and coordination, especially as urbanisation creates pressure around planning, informal trade, congestion and service delivery.