Newly appointed Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has pledged to introduce reforms aimed at improving accountability and service delivery in local governments.
He spoke shortly after his vetting in Parliament on Monday.
Balaam expressed concern that most local government officials remain in one position for over 20 years, which he says has created a base of corruption that hinders progress.
“I want to remove the habit of keeping people in one position in a district. How can someone serve 20 years in a single district? We need to rotate these workers to remove networks of thieves and ensure government money reaches the right beneficiaries,” he said.
He explained that under the proposed changes, local government officers would be rotated every three years and subjected to regular training and supervision.
He added that the ministry will also introduce a biometric system to track attendance.
“If you miss out on five occasions without permission, count yourself out of this ministry and out of the district. We need people who will work for the people,” Balaam said.
Balaam emphasized his focus on fighting corruption and ensuring that poverty programs reach the intended beneficiaries.
He also highlighted his first assignment as minister, which is to oversee elections for Local Council offices across the country.
“Every village will get a new LC. The LCs who have been stealing using LC one stamps should prepare to exit immediately, honorably. Otherwise, the vote will apply.”
He thanked his predecessor, Honorable Raphael Magyezi, for securing funding for the elections, noting that the money is now ready for the Electoral Commission to conduct the polls.
Balaam previously served as State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs under the Ministry of Gender. In the recently announced cabinet, he was appointed Minister for Local Government.
