Buyende councillors urged to promote accountability and teamwork

11 October 2026, 7:26 pm

By Ali Lukomo

Councillors in Buyende District have been urged to understand and observe the rules of law, respect one another, and work closely with technical staff to improve service delivery.

The call was made by Prossie Nampijja, the Principal Urban Officer at the Ministry of Local Government, during a three-day induction for councillors and technocrats in the district.

Nampijja emphasised the importance of collective leadership, noting that cooperation between political leaders and technical teams is essential for effective council proceedings, transparency and accountability.

She observed that disagreements between the political and technical wings often undermine accountability and service delivery. She urged the leaders to set aside their differences and prioritise the interests of the communities they serve.

To illustrate the importance of unity, Nampijja compared the situation to families experiencing domestic disagreements but still coming together to address their children’s needs.

In his closing remarks, Buyende District Planner Gideon Mugulusi, who represented the Chief Administrative Officer, urged councillors to study and understand the laws governing local government operations.

Mugulusi encouraged the councillors to use the reference materials provided during the induction, consult experienced leaders and seek additional knowledge to strengthen their understanding of council procedures and accountability.

He welcomed the induction programme, describing it as timely because many councillors are new to the local government system, having served for only five months. He said the training would equip them with the knowledge needed to fulfil their responsibilities despite the challenges they face.

Speaking on behalf of the district council, District Speaker Salim Kyabagadha commended the Government of Uganda for introducing the initiative, saying it brings councillors and technical staff together to strengthen teamwork and improve service delivery.

Kyabagadha also urged councillors to regularly engage with communities, collect residents’ concerns and present them before the council for discussion and possible action.

He called for more training opportunities and benchmarking visits to other districts to enable councillors to learn from best practices and improve their performance.

However, the speaker highlighted challenges affecting councillors, including low allowances and ex-gratia payments, as well as the 40 per cent deductions imposed by the government.

Buyende District comprises the Budiope East and Budiope West constituencies, with representation from 14 sub-counties and town councils. More than 30 councillors represent the district at the local government level, including both male and female leaders.