Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has called on East African leaders to strengthen local governments to enhance their role in the East African community integration agenda.
Nabbanja made these remarks on November 19, 2024, during her keynote address at the East African Local Government Forum held at Speak Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo.
“Effective local governance is crucial for implementing regional integration initiatives and improving service delivery across East Africa, it also helps in expanding markets and ensuring stability plays a great role in fostering large markets and trade opportunities”, Nabbanja said.
She called on leaders to empower local councils, which she described as the service delivery engines of the country, directly impacting the lives of citizens.
Her comments reflect a broader push for local governance reforms within the East African Community (EAC), which aims to foster cooperation among member states and enhance regional integration.
Minister for Local Governments and the incoming East African Local Government Forum Chairperson, Raphael Magyezi, highlighted the critical role of local governments in regional development.
“We shall do what it takes to protect the environment, our heritage as Africa and East Africa, and to mitigate climate change and the reason we exist as local authorities is to deliver services, ”Magyezi said.
Min Magyezi further revealed that local governments shall use the Local Government Forum of East Africa to strengthen local governments as institutions to deliver efficient, participatory and accountable services to the public.
He urged local leaders to adhere to principles that promote democracy, patriotism, and socio-economic transformation.
This forum is part of a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing the capacity of local governments to engage effectively in regional matters and contribute to the overall development objectives of the EAC.
