BEN KUMUMANYA: Local Council I and II Leadership: The Foundation of Participatory Democracy, Political Accountability and Community Development in Uganda

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published an opinion article by Ben Kumumanya, identified as the Permanent Secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Local Government, arguing that Local Council I and II structures remain central to the country’s decentralised governance system. The article says LC I village councils and LC II parish or ward councils are intended to bring decision-making closer to citizens, allowing communities to set priorities, monitor services and demand accountability.

Kumumanya links the argument to forthcoming LC I and LC II elections, urging citizens to choose leaders with integrity, competence and commitment to public service. He says local councils are the closest elected leadership structures to residents and are expected to handle village administration, mobilise participation in government programmes, maintain order, promote sanitation and environmental protection, identify vulnerable households and relay community needs to higher local government levels.

The article also highlights the role of LC leaders in supporting programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, immunisation campaigns and community sanitation efforts. It says local councils can help resolve neighbourhood, land, family and domestic disputes through mediation before they escalate, while also working with residents and security agencies to address emerging safety concerns.

Kumumanya further argues that grassroots leadership is important to anti-corruption efforts, citing recent ministerial visits to the Bugisu Sub-region where communities reportedly raised concerns about corrupt practices and service delivery failures. The Ministry of Local Government, according to the article, says it will continue supporting decentralisation through policy, capacity building and collaboration, while encouraging eligible citizens to participate peacefully and responsibly in the elections.