The Ministry of Local Government has pledged to strengthen supervision and accountability in local governments as part of efforts to improve agricultural extension services and boost the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere made the remarks during a two-day meeting that brought together political and technical leaders from local governments to discuss strategies for transforming the agricultural sector.
The meeting brought together Local Council V chairpersons, city and municipal mayors, chief administrative officers, town clerks, resident district commissioners and resident city commissioners. It was convened by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Nameere said she represented the Ministry of Local Government and delivered a statement on the effective delivery of delegated functions to local governments.
She highlighted challenges affecting agricultural extension services, including inadequate staffing and funding. According to Nameere, the current extension worker-to-farmer ratio stands at one worker for every 1,800 farmers, against the recommended ratio of one to 500.
She further said more than half of Uganda’s farmers had never interacted with an agricultural extension worker, a gap she linked to challenges in the implementation of the Parish Development Model.
“The gap is greatly affecting PDM,” Nameere said, stressing the need for local governments to improve access to services intended to support farmers.
She outlined several measures that the government intends to pursue, including staffing and retooling extension workers, promoting the four-acre model, strengthening accountability through Local Government Performance Assessments and organising farmers into cooperatives.
The minister also identified improved rural infrastructure as an important component in efforts to strengthen agricultural production and service delivery.
Nameere said the Ministry of Local Government would take a stronger supervisory role to ensure extension workers carry out their responsibilities and services reach farmers.
She said the ministry would push, supervise and hold officials accountable for delivering services to citizens.
Nameere also urged local government leaders to heed President Yoweri Museveni’s calls to fight corruption, negligence and what she described as “slumber” in public service.
She further cited a call by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for public officials to serve with patriotism and reject corruption.
The meeting comes as the government continues to rely on local government structures to implement agricultural and socio-economic programmes, including the Parish Development Model, which seeks to increase household incomes and move communities into the money economy.