The Minister of State for Local Government, Hon. Justine Nameere Nsubuga, has challenged the political and technical leadership of Masaka City to improve service delivery and make the city a model of effective local governance.
Minister Nameere made the call today during a self-assessment meeting with political and technical leaders at the Masaka City Headquarters, where the performance of various departments was reviewed and key gaps affecting residents were discussed.
Minister Nameere urged public servants to change the mindset that government employment is guaranteed permanent and pensionable employment, stressing that the changing public service environment requires officers to be committed, accountable and results-oriented. “The attitude of public servants thinking that they are permanent and pensionable needs to change. Things are different now,” she said.
The Acting Town Clerk, Mr. Ssebaduka Uthman meanwhile, highlighted recruitment gaps in critical departments, including Physical Planning and Production, which he said were affecting the city’s capacity to effectively execute its mandate.
The assessment further focused on essential services, including health, environmental management, garbage collection and roads. Minister Nameere called for improved waste management to keep the city clean, while also demanding proper accountability in the utilisation of the Road Fund to ensure resources allocated for road maintenance deliver visible results to residents.
On the Parish Development Model, the Minister tasked the Production Officer to urgently iron out implementation challenges and strengthen follow-up to ensure that the programme benefits its intended beneficiaries. She emphasised that challenges identified during the assessment must result in action and not simply be captured in reports.
Minister Nameere urged the political and technical leadership to work together, take ownership of their responsibilities and turn the identified gaps into opportunities for improvement. She said she wants Masaka City to become a model of the best service delivery, demonstrating how accountable and responsive local leadership can translate government programmes and resources into tangible benefits for citizens.
