Structure ofLocal Governments

98 Jesper Steffensen

will,however,depend on the practical approach to the possible introduction ofregions (see Steffensen and Tidemand 2004).

The possible centralization ofsome elements oflocal government personnel administration constitutes a more fundamental threat to decentralization by devolution for two basic reasons:first,central government appointment ofthe CAO will cut a crucial accountability link between the elected local councils and the local government staff;second,such an approach to solving administrative problems in local governments (through centralization) may result in a snowball effect,whereby local accountability mechanisms become totally undermined.

Structure ofLocal Governments

Local government in Uganda is a multitier system with the district,city council,and municipalities as units under which are lower local government structures and administrative units (figure 3.1).

The local governments are corporate bodies,with perpetual succession and a common seal;they may sue or be sued in their corporate names (LGA, section 7).The chairs ofall local governments are elected through universal adult suffrage and secret ballot.Local governments have powers to approve plans and budgets that incorporate plans oflower local councils.Unlike local governments,the administrative units4 are not corporate bodies.

Apart from county councils,both local governments and administrative units have autonomy in planning and initiating self-help projects. Both local governments and administrative units receive or retain a share oflocal revenues,resolve problems or disputes at their level,monitor delivery ofservices,and assist in the maintenance oflaw,order,and security.

Political Structures

At the district and city levels are the district and city councils,the highest political authorities in the local government’s jurisdiction.The district or city council is composed ofone councilor directly elected to represent each electoral area ofa district,two councilors (one female) representing the youth in the district,and two councilors with disabilities (one female),representing people with disabilities.Women councilors form one-third ofthe council.The chair ofthe district council5 is the political head ofthe district and answerable to the council (1995 constitution,article 183;LGA,section 13) (see figure 3.1).