*By John Kusolo*
Kampala, Uganda, played host to the 8th East African Local Governments Forum (EALGF), a gathering of local government leaders and policymakers from the eight East African Community (EAC) member states. Under the theme, "Promoting Inclusivity and Effective Participation of Subnational Governments and Communities in the EAC Integration Agenda," the forum highlighted the critical role of local governments in fostering regional integration and achieving the broader goals of the EAC.
Mr. Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Local Government, delivered a compelling presentation that delved into Uganda's 32-year journey of decentralisation.
His remarks shed light on key milestones, challenges, and reforms, providing a valuable case study for the East African region.
Mr. Kumumanya underscored Uganda’s pioneering efforts in decentralisation, for the last 32 years, as a strategy to empower local governments and communities. The framework aimed to enhance service delivery, promote grassroots participation in governance, and foster economic development at the local level. He cited:
*Legislative Foundations:*
Enactment of the Local Governments Act, which provided a clear legal framework for devolved governance.
*Service Delivery Improvements:* Increased access to health, education, and infrastructure services through local government programs.
*Enhanced Local Autonomy:* Strengthening the capacity of local councils to make decisions on resource allocation and development priorities.
*Lessons Learned:**
Mr. Kumumanya reflected on lessons learned over three decades of decentralisation:
*The Need for Adequate Funding:* He noted that while decentralisation improved governance, inadequate financial resources remain a major challenge.
*Capacity Building:*
Continuous training of local government officials is essential to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.
*Community Engagement:*
Strengthening community participation is critical for fostering accountability and ensuring that local governments address citizens’ needs.
*Emerging Reforms:*
Mr. Kumumanya shared insights into ongoing reforms aimed at modernising Uganda’s local governance system, including:
*Digitisation of Local Government Services:*
Leveraging technology to improve service delivery and transparency.
*Performance-Based Funding Models:*
Allocating resources based on measurable outcomes to promote accountability.
Strengthening *Inter-Governmental Relations*:
Enhancing coordination between national and local governments to address development challenges.
*Hon. Raphael Magyezi’s Vision for Regional Collaboration*
Hon. Raphael Magyezi, Uganda’s Minister of Local Government, took up the chairmanship of the East African Country and Local Governments Association (EACLGA) during the forum. In his address, he laid out a transformative vision for local governments in the region:
*Economic Hubs:* Transforming local governments from administrative units into centers of economic growth.
*Environmental Stewardship:* Championing sustainable development and environmental protection across East Africa.
Grassroots Advocacy for *EAC Integration:* Bringing the East African integration agenda to the grassroots by engaging local communities and authorities.
Hon. Magyezi pledged to strengthen EACLGA’s influence in shaping global and regional policies while advocating for sufficient resourcing of subnational authorities.
Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Uganda’s Prime Minister, officiated at the event,
emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and effective participation of subnational governments in the EAC integration agenda. She called for stronger collaboration among member states to address shared challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and cross-border trade.
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