The Ministry of Local Government has urged trainers preparing to induct newly elected local government councillors to equip themselves with broad knowledge, teamwork and a positive mindset to ensure local leaders receive the skills needed to deliver effective governance and public services.
Swizin Mugyema Kinga, Commissioner for Local Councils Research and Development at the Ministry of Local Government, made the call while addressing a Training of Trainers workshop in Masaka.
Mugyema said the trainers would effectively represent the Ministry and the Government when they begin delivering the induction programme across local governments, requiring them to approach the assignment with professionalism, commitment and a strong understanding of local governance.
“You are going to represent the Ministry and Government in the local governments,” Mugyema told the trainers, stressing the importance of preparing adequately for the task.
He challenged the trainers to look beyond their individual areas of expertise and develop sufficient knowledge to respond to questions that newly elected leaders may raise on different aspects of local governance.
These areas include decentralisation, democracy, political representation and the legal and constitutional framework governing local governments.
Mugyema said trainers should also help local government leaders understand the constitutional and democratic processes through which they were elected, while encouraging them to remain focused on strengthening local government institutions.
He cautioned trainers against allowing personal perceptions of individual leaders to influence the induction process, saying the programme should instead focus on building capable institutions and improving the effectiveness of local governance.
The induction programme is intended to provide newly elected local government leaders with the knowledge, skills and practical tools required to perform their responsibilities effectively.
Mugyema stressed that quality leadership does not happen by chance but requires deliberate preparation and continuous capacity building.
The training of trainers is therefore expected to prepare facilitators to deliver a consistent induction programme that can strengthen the capacity of local government leaders and ultimately contribute to improved service delivery at the grassroots.
The initiative comes as newly elected local government councils begin taking up their responsibilities, making effective induction an important step in helping councillors understand their mandates, responsibilities and the institutional framework within which they operate.
