MITOOMA DISTRICT – Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, called for reforms in the recruitment of senior technical officers in Local Governments, proposing that key positions such as district engineers be recruited through the Public Service Commission to strengthen accountability and reduce the risk of collusion.
Tayebwa made the remarks during an anti-corruption baraza at Rwakitandara Playground in Ruhinda North, Mitooma District, where residents engaged the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, on corruption, accountability and the delivery of government services.
He raised concern that recruiting senior technical officers through District Service Commissions could allow some officials to establish long-standing relationships within districts, potentially creating opportunities for collusion and misuse of public resources.
He proposed that senior technical officers be recruited centrally through the Public Service Commission and made transferable across Local Governments. According to Tayebwa, such an arrangement would strengthen oversight, promote professionalism and reduce the possibility of individuals developing networks that could facilitate corruption.
The Deputy Speaker also disclosed that several individuals in Mitooma District had been arrested over alleged misuse of funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
He urged communities to take an active role in monitoring government programmes and reporting suspected cases of corruption, emphasizing that citizens are critical partners in protecting public resources.
Tayebwa commended the anti-corruption mobilisation efforts led by Hon. Balaam Barugahara, particularly the decision to take accountability discussions directly to communities.
He called upon political and technical leaders at all levels to cooperate with the Minister during his countrywide engagements, saying community-based engagements provide an important platform for identifying challenges affecting service delivery and bringing them to the attention of responsible authorities.
The Deputy Speaker assured the Minister of Parliament’s support in efforts aimed at strengthening accountability and improving service delivery in Local Governments.
The proposed reforms come at a time when Government is intensifying efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and effective utilisation of public resources at Local Government level.
The Ministry of Local Government continues to engage political leaders, technical officers and communities to identify implementation gaps, address corruption and ensure that government programmes translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.