The officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture had an interface meeting with representatives from the M’mbelwa District Council to discuss the revised National Decentralisation Policy (NDP).
The meeting, held at the M’mbelwa District Council offices, marks a crucial step in the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen local governance through decentralisation.
Misheck Munthali, in his address, emphasized the importance of aligning local government operations with the revised National Decentralisation Policy (NDP 2) to enhance service delivery, citizen engagement, and accountability at the grassroots level.
During the discussions, the Director of Civic Education outlined the key revisions in NDP 2, noting that the new policy places greater emphasis on financial autonomy for local councils, improved coordination between central and local governments, and the inclusion of marginalized groups in decision-making processes.
Munthali explained that these changes are aimed at ensuring that local authorities have both the capacity and resources to address the unique needs of their communities.
District Commissioner Rodney Simwaka says the council has welcomed the initiative, acknowledging the challenges faced by local councils under the previous policy.
He noted that limited funding and bureaucratic delays had hindered the effective implementation of developmental projects in the district.
“With the revised policy, we hope to see improved efficiency in how we manage resources and deliver public services,” Simwaka said.
Director of Planning and Development Walter Chikuni added that M’mbelwa District Council has already initiated several community-driven projects in anticipation of the policy’s roll-out.
Uganda is a prime example of a country that has embraced decentralisation since the 1990s.
Some of the key attendees at the meeting included District Commissioner Rodney Simwaka, Director of Planning and Development Walter Chikuni, and Director of Education Bridget Nungu, Acting Director of Administration Viston Mulungu.
