INTRODUCTION TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE(2022)

Welcome to this course "Introduction to Local Government". The course introduces students to issues pertaining to government in general and local government and in particular Uganda’s experience of local governance. It builds on the changes that global democratic governments of which Uganda is part have effected in the governance of their countries. Whereas local governments are older than centralised governments, the current focus on local governance follows decades characterized by dictatorship, centralization, and personalization of power which has limited citizen’s participation in decision making and building up their development issues. The effect of over-centralization had been a weak civil society that could not check the excessive powers of the State nor enforce accountability of public officials. This had led to a lack of democracy and a lack of popular civil participation.

This course focuses on providing local government officials with much-needed opportunities for training, and in a general way to upgrade their professional standards, skills, and knowledge. By doing this, it bridges the gap between theory and practice. It is hoped that students following this module will learn a lot on the origin of local governments and their role in society. It is further hoped that students will learn how best they can enforce effective service delivery and improve democratic principles in areas where they work or where they will offer their services.