PS Kumumanya Challenges Leaders to Focus on Ideas, Accountability and Merit for Uganda’s Transformation

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reported that Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Local Government, urged local leaders to shift attention from personality-driven politics to ideas, accountability, professionalism and merit. He made the remarks during an engagement with Town Clerks and local government officials at Peniel Beach in Entebbe Municipality, attended by Entebbe Mayor Fabrice Brad Rulinda, technical officers and other local government stakeholders.

According to the report, Kumumanya said local governments are central to national development because they work closest to communities and are positioned to identify service delivery gaps. He encouraged officials to plan strategically, seek technical support from central government ministries where needed, and work with oversight bodies including the Office of the Auditor General, the Inspectorate of Government, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Works and Transport.

The article said Kumumanya also warned against irregular recruitment, arguing that public appointments in local government should be guided by competence and merit. He linked stronger institutions and qualified personnel to better use of public resources and improved services for citizens. He also cited Uganda’s broader socio-economic transformation agenda, saying government interventions had contributed to poverty reduction and wider participation in income-generating activity, though the article did not provide supporting figures.

Mayor Rulinda, as reported by Watchdog Uganda, called for reforms in Entebbe to respond to residents’ concerns and improve public service delivery. Kumumanya said Entebbe’s historical role as Uganda’s former administrative centre gave it a special responsibility to model good governance, sound planning and development-focused leadership.