Local Government PS Ben Kumumanya Urges LC1 Leaders to Guard PDM Funds and Revive Village Governance

What the report says

The Permanent Secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, has urged LC1 and LC2 leaders to strengthen village-level leadership, saying grassroots officials play a key role in monitoring government programmes, mobilising residents and helping curb corruption. He made the remarks in Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality in Wakiso District during an engagement with local council leaders, according to Watchdog Uganda.

Kumumanya said decentralisation depends on local leaders who can connect citizens to state services and help ensure initiatives in roads, health, education and local economic development respond to community needs. He also referred to Uganda’s governance history, including lessons from the Luweero Triangle conflict, to explain why decision-making should be closer to communities.

A major focus of his message was the Parish Development Model, a government programme intended to support household participation in the money economy. He warned that some people still misunderstand PDM funds as personal or general government money, and he encouraged village leaders to work with technical officers to report irregularities, clarify the programme’s purpose and help eligible beneficiaries access support.

Another ministry official, Moses Otimong, backed the call for stronger mobilisation and said the aim is to narrow the gap between citizens and government while improving accountability. He also encouraged communities to participate in revenue collection, infrastructure upkeep and sanitation efforts. The remarks reflect ongoing government efforts to improve service delivery through local structures, a key issue in Uganda’s decentralised system.