OPINION: Uganda at 64 — How Local Governments Are Turning Public Investment into Better Services

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published an opinion piece marking Uganda’s 64th Independence anniversary that argues decentralisation should be judged by whether public investments still deliver services to residents. The article focuses on Masaka City and nearby areas, using examples of roads, health centres and a secondary school to show how local governments are turning national funding into practical benefits. It frames the question as whether infrastructure, staffing and maintenance are strong enough to make services lasting rather than symbolic.

In Masaka City, the piece says road upgrades, drainage work and solar streetlights have improved movement for traders, passengers and residents. It cites works on Broad Way Road, Villa Road, Nyendo–Kitovu Cathedral Road and several other streets, along with more than 1,000 solar lights installed under a municipal infrastructure programme. The article also notes concerns such as encroachment on road reserves and the need to keep drains clear and lights functional after contractors leave.

The opinion then turns to Kitabaazi Health Centre III, which was upgraded in May 2025, and Mutungo Health Centre III in Makindye-Ssabagabo, where local leaders welcomed the new facility but stressed that staff, medicines and equipment are essential for real access to care. It also highlights Bukakata Seed Secondary School, where expanded power access has supported ICT and science learning, but further resources and staffing are still needed.

Overall, the piece says Uganda’s decentralisation agenda succeeds only when funding, staff, procurement and oversight align. It presents the anniversary as a moment to assess not just what has been built, but whether roads remain usable, clinics are staffed and schools can teach effectively.