THE VILLAGE IS GOVERNMENT’S FRONT DOOR: Ben Kumumanya Calls on Ugandans to Embrace Decentralisation

What the report says

Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Local Government, has urged Ugandans to support decentralisation, arguing that it has brought government services closer to communities and widened participation in local decision-making. The remarks, reported by Watchdog Uganda from Kampala, framed villages, parishes, town councils and districts as the main points where state policy meets everyday needs.

Kumumanya said the system is meant to give local people a stronger voice while also demanding capable and accountable leadership. He stressed that officials should be chosen not only for electoral success but for their ability to deliver services and oversee development. His comments reflected Uganda’s longer decentralisation journey, which he said grew out of efforts to reduce the long distances people once travelled to access administration and basic public services.

The article also linked decentralisation to roads, schools, health access, local revenue collection and anti-corruption efforts. Kumumanya pointed to the Parish Development Model as a current example of taking development financing to the grassroots, and said local leaders should monitor projects and report poor workmanship or misuse of funds. He also credited political stability and government household-income programmes for supporting the policy environment, while warning that corruption and extortion can undermine local service delivery.

Watchdog Uganda presented the message as part of a broader call for stronger community participation, better oversight, and more effective local government systems across Uganda.