Opposition Backs Local Govts to Demand Funds for Councillors’ Induction

The opposition has warned Parliament not to approve the Ministry of Local Government budget for the financial year 2018/19 without the funds for induction of councillors in the 67 districts.

This was after the Ministry of Local Government listed the item of inducting councillors as among the underfunded items.

The Ministry had requested for Shs 4.2 billion for councillors’ induction.

Appearing before the Public Service and Local Government Committee of Parliament chaired by Godfrey Onzima, the Shadow Minister for Local Government, Betty Nambooze Bakireke said that Parliament should find the required funds for inducting councillors and special interest groups on the government operation and monitoring of projects.

The Committee noted that almost three years into the 5-year term of office, both councillors and special interest groups have never been inducted.

Nambooze also urged Parliament against approving the Ministry’s budget without Shs 40.6 billion needed for clearing its debts.

“This is so unfortunate that many Ugandans traded with the Ministry of Local Government but they have not been paid and no hopes of paying them the next financial year. This is unacceptable and this has led to the collapse of many businesses,” Nambooze said.

She stated that the Ministry of Local Government funds budgeted for entertainment, travel abroad and consultancy should be diverted to clearing domestic arrears and inducting councilors.

The Ministry budgeted Shs 20.6 billion for consultancy, Shs 1.1 billion for travel abroad and Shs 193 million for entertainment.

Nambooze asked Parliament to allocate 20% of the Ministry of Local Government budget to local government councillors to enable them produce quality output at the local level.

She told the Committee that remuneration of local politicians like councillors need to be improved since some resigned their jobs to become councilors, adding that poor pay of these local politicians has prompted them to focus on national election leadership positions where there some good pay.