“A lot of money is spent at the central government and less money allocated to local governments”, Atuhaire Patrick

On 30^th March 2014, Mr. Atuhaire Patrick highlighted how much funds were being spent on the central government and less sent to local governments for project implementation and service delivery. This was during ToroDev’s supported radio discussion on Better FM called the ‘Listeners Forum’ a 2hr radio program that discusses issues of accountability every Sunday (8:00-10:00pm). “The government only allocates 15% of the funds to local governments and the rest is spent on the central government lavishly through buying I pads, paying expensive visits, making retreats among others”. 

The Uganda National Budget

Other panelists who participated in the live radio discussion included Hon Edson Businge, the LC III Chairperson of Hakibaale Sub County, Kenneth Bajenja, the Sub County Chief Hakibaale Sub County, Mugisa Moses the Chairperson of Hakibaale Committed Citizens for Better Service Delivery, Atuhaire Patrick the secretary of Hakibaale Commited Citizens for Better Service Delivery, and Mr. Kamugisha Frank, a local citizen of Kasenda Sub County, all in Kabarole District.

During the program, Mr. Edson praised all the local and political leaders from Hakibaale for the team work that contributed to the better performance of the projects. “In Hakibaale Sub County, we have two arms of the government, the technical arm that is responsible for the implementation of the projects and the political arm that is responsible for planning. During the assessment of minimum conditions and performance measures of local governments, Hakibaale Sub County got 98 points out of 110 points which means that a reward of 20% increment on funding will be provided on our budget”.

Mr. Mugisa also participated in the live radio discussion by indicating how Hakibaale Sub County still had a challenge of poor service delivery. “Kyaburungi Health Center II has only one staff, some parish chiefs are corrupt, local people are not informed and a lot of sensitization needs to be done, alcohol consumption by parents is so high yet they don’t want to support their children in school like providing books, pens, lunch among others and a lot of youths are also redundant in drugs and gambling acts”. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Kamugisha Frank also participated in the live radio discussion by raising the service delivery issues of Kasenda Sub County. “During the assessment of minimum conditions and performance measures of local governments, Kasenda Sub County got 15points out of 110. This means that our performance is very poor and we are going to get a penalty of 20% reduction on our funding.  We also have a problem of poor water in places like Nyabweya which has caused infections of bilharzias and malaria among the local people”.

Local citizens also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “We also need a rural radio debate so that issues are picked on ground”, said Godfrey from Kabagona in Mugusu Sub County, “How do we expect LC IIIs to perform better with the little funds from the government?” asked Mbaga Saidi from Kamwenge District, “Local citizens should come up and monitor their leaders and services being delivered instead of waiting for things to be done for them”, said Yahaya from Karugutu Town Council in Ntoroko District.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mukonyezi Wilfred.