Uganda OPM: Local Government Performance Improves to 67.22% in 2024/25

• Uganda's Local Governments improved their overall performance to 67.22% in FY2024/25, up from 61.26% in the previous year.
• The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) conducted this assessment, presenting findings during budget consultations for FY2027/28.
• Production services achieved the highest score at 73.08%, while infrastructure recorded the lowest among listed service areas at 60.24%.
• Key areas identified for improvement include human resource management, project preparation, and timely procurement processes.
• The OPM urged Local Governments to initiate procurement early to prevent project delays and ensure timely service delivery.

The Office of the Prime Minister has specifically urged Local Governments to initiate procurement processes early in the financial year to mitigate delays in project implementation and ensure services are delivered within planned timelines.

Uganda's local governments have demonstrated an improved overall performance, reaching 67.22% in the 2024/25 financial year. This marks a notable increase from the 61.26% recorded in the preceding 2023/24 financial year. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) presented these findings during the ongoing Local Government Budget Consultations for the 2027/28 financial year, where officials are reviewing past performance to identify areas for future intervention.

The comprehensive assessment by the OPM aims to bolster government systems and procedures, foster greater accountability, and ensure effective resource management. Furthermore, it seeks to enhance service delivery across various sectors and support evidence-based decision-making processes at the local level. The evaluation encompassed key service delivery domains, including infrastructure development, education, health services, water and sanitation, micro-scale irrigation initiatives, and production services.

Beyond direct service provision, the assessment also scrutinized crucial supporting functions vital for efficient governance. These included planning and budgeting processes, procurement protocols, transparency measures, human resource management practices, and overall financial management within local government entities. This holistic approach provides a detailed picture of operational strengths and weaknesses across Uganda's local councils.

A detailed breakdown of the Uganda local government assessment report reveals varying performance levels across different sectors. Production services emerged as the top performer, achieving an impressive 73.08%. Water and sanitation followed closely with a score of 71.54%. Health services registered 66.47%, while education and micro-scale irrigation scored 65.98% and 66.08%, respectively.

Infrastructure projects, however, recorded the lowest performance among the listed service delivery areas, standing at 60.24%. The OPM clarified that its evaluation of infrastructure extends beyond mere completion, incorporating critical factors such as usability, quality, functionality, accessibility, and the absence of visible defects in facilities. This nuanced approach ensures that projects not only exist but also serve their intended purpose effectively.

Despite the overall improvement in OPM Uganda service delivery performance, the assessment highlighted persistent challenges that demand immediate attention. Specifically, weaknesses were identified in human resource management, the thoroughness of project preparation, and the timeliness of procurement processes. To address Uganda local government procurement delays and ensure services are delivered within stipulated timelines, the OPM has strongly advised Local Governments to initiate procurement activities early in the financial year.

The findings from this Uganda local government assessment report are slated to serve as a foundational guide for government monitoring, evaluation, and the strategic allocation of resources. By pinpointing specific areas where performance needs bolstering, the report will inform targeted interventions designed to enhance service delivery across local councils. This mechanism is crucial for strengthening Uganda public sector accountability and improving Uganda local council performance metrics.

For legal professionals advising clients involved in public procurement or project implementation with Ugandan Local Governments, the OPM's explicit focus on mitigating Uganda local government procurement delays, alongside concerns in human resource management and project preparation, signals heightened scrutiny. This necessitates proactive legal counsel on regulatory adherence and risk mitigation strategies, particularly given the emphasis on strengthening public sector accountability and improving performance metrics.

The directive for early procurement, in particular, highlights a critical area for contractual compliance and project delivery risk management. Lawyers should advise clients to anticipate increased oversight in these areas, ensuring robust project planning, transparent human resource practices, and adherence to accelerated procurement timelines to avoid potential contractual disputes or project setbacks.

Lawyers advising clients on public procurement or project implementation with Ugandan Local Governments should note the OPM's emphasis on timely procurement and identified weaknesses in human resource management and project preparation. This signals potential areas of increased scrutiny or risk for contractual compliance and project delivery, requiring proactive advice on regulatory adherence and risk mitigation.

Source: Reporting based on an assessment by the Office of the Prime Minister.