Barugahara Calls for Higher Funding for East African Local Governments

Uganda's Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has urged East African governments to boost financial support for local authorities, tighten accountability mechanisms, and invest in institutional capacity as a means of improving service delivery and speeding up development at the grassroots level.

Funding Gaps Undermine Decentralisation

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 9th East Africa Local Governments Forum (EALGF) at the Windsor Golf Hotel in Kiambu County, Kenya, on Wednesday, Barugahara stressed that effective decentralisation depends on adequate financial resources, skilled personnel, and sound public financial management. He cautioned that local authorities cannot fulfil their mandates without the necessary support and oversight.

The forum brought together ministers, local government leaders, policymakers, and development partners from across the East African Community (EAC) to discuss decentralisation, governance, and service delivery.

Barugahara noted that local governments are central to implementing national development programmes, particularly in healthcare, education, agriculture, infrastructure development, road construction, and access to clean water.

Persistent Challenges

Despite progress made by countries such as Uganda in transferring planning, budgeting, and implementation responsibilities to lower levels of government, the minister pointed out that inadequate funding, staffing shortages, and poor coordination continue to undermine the effectiveness of local authorities.

He called for deliberate interventions to strengthen local government institutions and equip them with the human and financial resources needed to respond to the needs of their communities.

Barugahara also raised concerns about corruption and the misuse of public resources, urging governments to strengthen financial controls, procurement systems, and institutional oversight to ensure accountability at the local level. He emphasised that public funds allocated to essential services must be properly utilised and reach their intended beneficiaries.

"Money appropriated for roads, schools, health facilities, water and other essential services must reach the intended beneficiaries," Barugahara said.

Regional Cooperation

According to the minister, stronger cooperation among local governments would improve institutional performance, enhance service delivery, and support the broader East African regional integration agenda.