Government is considering allocating special resources to larger local governments and urban councils as an alternative to splitting administrative units, Local Government Minister Raphael Magezi has said.
Mr Magezi, who Thursday officiated at the opening of the 56th Urban Authorities Association of Uganda (UAAU) General Assembly in Tororo Municipality, said the move is among the remedies being explored as Cabinet’s ban on creating new administrative units remains in force.
The minister was responding to concerns raised by UAAU president Dr Wilson Sanya, who asked the government to consider pending requests to subdivide oversized administrative units, arguing that their populations and geographical size make effective service delivery difficult.
‘Mr Minister we wish to bring to your attention that some of our councils are too big in terms of population and size yet when you are appropriating resources you don’t consider this and it’s on that background that some of them have made requests to have them split,’ Dr Sanya said.
Mr Magezi acknowledged the growing pressure from districts, municipalities and cities seeking to divide villages, parishes, wards, sub-counties, divisions and districts, but stressed that Cabinet’s position remains unchanged.
‘We understand the challenges you undergo but we are saying the cabinet ban on creation of new administrative units remains binding however government has plans to give affirmative action to districts, municipal and city councils to enable them be at the same place with others during resource allocation,’ he said.
He said government will, in the meantime, ensure that larger local governments, municipalities and cities receive additional resources so they can operate at the same pace as smaller units.
Mr Magezi cited Tororo District, where President Museveni had proposed creating three districts and elevating Tororo Municipality to city status, but said the changes have not taken effect because they require legal clearance from the Attorney General and a financing certificate.
He said larger administrative units will be prioritized in programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and road equipment allocation.
The minister also cautioned against institutional conflict among councils, saying some speakers had overstepped their authority.
‘I have received shocking information that a speaker has gone ahead to suspend the mayor or chairperson and I have always guided that this is wrong although the law provides, this should not go to that extent because the mayor or chairperson remains the political head of the institution,’ he said.
He criticised speakers who dismiss mayors or chairpersons from council sessions and urged councils to foster intergovernmental cooperation. He further advised mayors and chairpersons to ensure their speakers have transport, especially where official vehicles remain in use.
Mr Magezi also announced that government is considering enhancing pay for local government leaders.
‘The president of this country loves all his local leaders and it’s the reason why he has recommended for enhanced pay for all of them and it’s in its final stages to be considered,’ he said.