CSOs POST-BUDGET DIALOGUE: Top Agencies, Local Gov’ts recognized for excellent service delivery.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from a distant public lens are known for criticizing and complaining about the gaps that exist in the services delivered by government agencies and local government to the citizens; however, according to the CSOs that were represented at the CSO POST-Budget Dialogue, the say that through their collaboration and engagement with various government department during their work, they have realized that some agencies deserve recognition for their great contribution and service they continue to deliver to the citizen over the years. 

During the CSOs Post Budget Dialogue held on Wednesday 18^th June 202, at Mestil hotel in Kampala, the Country Coordinator of Oxfam, Mr Francis, who announced the winning agencies, said that based on the critical nature of work CSOs and issues they raise many people have come to branded them as being with a negative approach, but where the good work, and standard that led to better public service delivery inspired the excellence awards.

“The agencies that CSOs have worked with and have exhibited excellent government's public service delivery, the outstanding citizens’ participation have inspired the excellent service awards,” he said

Mr Julius Mukunda

The Executive Director of CSBAG, Mr. Julius Mukunda, while congratulating the award winners, applauded them for paying attention to the demands of the citizens they serve, while urging them to continue improving their service delivery to Ugandans.

He said that there is a need to assess the allocation of funds to districts, and there also needs to be fiscal discipline to minimize leakages.

“We shall work with the Finance Ministry to ensure that the budget reaches everybody. We want improved service delivery for Uganda. I applaud the winners for paying attention to the demand. There is a need to ensure fiscal discipline to reduce leakages,” he said.

The CSO Post Budget Dialogue was themed: “Transforming challenges into Opportunities; Budgeting for people-centered economic growth,” organized by CSBAG with PELUM, ACODE, NGO Forum, FOWODE, among others.

Among the agencies recognized for excellent service delivery are: Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA), Office of the Auditor General, Isingiro District Local Government, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Uganda Drivers Licensing System.

The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority receives the Service Excellence Award for its commitment to enhancing citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in public procurement. Innovations like the Contract Monitoring System (CMS), which, according to the Executive Director, Mr. Benson Turamye, has empowered citizens to track and report on public projects, promoting community oversight and evidence-based reporting.  

The PPDA efforts to blacklist non-compliant contractors, promote local content, and develop inclusive guidelines have set a high standard for integrity and fairness in public contracting.

Mr Benson said that the system has provided timely responses from the community through their coordinators at the grassroots levels for every contact carried our, which is received at the headquarters for further action. 

Mr Leonard Ahimbisibwe

The Deputy CAO Isingiro District Local Government, Mr Leonard Ahimbisibwe, while giving his remarks during a panel discussion, said that based on the volume of work that the local district government do in their service delivery to the communities, there is need to increase the budget allocation from the current rate up to at least 12%.

"Most service delivery is anchored to Local government, with all the challenges in service delivery, including mobility of administration offices, the constraints to extension workers to monitor, and the desire by the population to have service delivery," he said.

Mr. Allan Ssebulime

Mr. Allan Ssebulime, a Board Member of PELUM Uganda based at Central Archdiocesan Province Caritas Association (CAPCA) while commending government budget allocations to the local government, which he said will boost decentralization to address community issues, also said that there is need to focus on the unique issues from the community and allocate additional funds for that docket.

“We appreciate the government’s allocation of over UGX 5.56 trillion of the national budget for FY 2025/26 to Local Governments. This allocation underscores a strong commitment to decentralized development and empowers local authorities to better address unique community needs and priorities. We should allocate more funding to local government,” he said

Mr. Mukunda, while making his remarks “74.5% of households in the subsistence economy rely on subsistence farming, highlighting the need for sustainable agricultural support. 37.1% of Uganda's budget is allocated to debt servicing. The growing debt burden remains a concern, especially for women who heavily rely on public services. Debt, especially when not properly invested in productive areas, takes away from resources meant for the delivery of critical services to citizens. Some of the challenges Uganda faces in budgeting: low absorption capacity, recurrent pattern & abuse of the supplementary budget process”

Meanwhile, Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Finance Ministry said “The Budget for FY 2025/26 is anchored on the tenfold growth strategy, which focuses on the private sector. This presents several opportunities for the private sector to grow, export more and generate more gainful jobs. The Budget for FY 2025/26 which amounts to Shs 72.376 trillion and provides tremendous opportunities for the youth, women, private sector, farmers, agro processors, among others”  

Mr. Arthur Bainomugisha.

Executive Director of ACODE Uganda, Mr. Arthur Bainomugisha, said that to ensure the effectiveness of the FY2025/26 budget government need to intensify the fight on corruption, reduce supplementary budgets, increase funding climate mitigation and adaptation and address low levels of fund absorption at the Local level.

“Let's work together to ensure the FY2025/26 budget drives people-centered, inclusive growth and accountability for a prosperous Uganda. I would like to thank the Finance ministry for continually providing space for Civil Society Organizations to contribute to Uganda’s development agenda. This open and inclusive approach positions Uganda among the global leaders in budget transparency,” he said

According to the 2024 Census report, there are 7.2 million households in the money economy, accounting for 66.9%, whereas 3.5 million households (33.1%) were in the subsistence economy.

Deputy CAO Isingiro Local government Leonard Ahimbisibwe receiving the award from CSBAG ED Mr. Julius Mukunda