Lamwo district leaders have called for stronger supervision, accountability and coordination among political and technical officials to improve the delivery of government services and programmes at the sub-county level.

The call was made by Resident District Commissioner William Komakech, LC5 chairperson Oyet Sisto Ocen and Chief Administrative Officer Chuna Moses Kapolon during a district meeting attended by LC3 chairpersons, sub-county chiefs, parish chiefs, GISOs, DISO and heads of departments.

The leaders said effective local government requires political leaders and technical officers to understand their respective responsibilities, work together and regularly monitor government programmes and public services in their communities.

Komakech challenged LC3 chairpersons to take greater responsibility for monitoring service delivery, particularly in health and education facilities within their areas of jurisdiction.

He said local leaders should establish whether health workers and other public servants report for duty on time and whether those assigned to night shifts are present to provide services to communities.

Komakech said supervision of government services should not be left entirely to the RDC, CAO or other senior district officials, arguing that sub-county leaders are closer to the people and are therefore better placed to identify challenges affecting service delivery.

He urged political leaders to regularly visit public facilities, engage communities and report gaps through the appropriate channels.

Ocen, meanwhile, called for improved coordination among government officials to ensure residents benefit from programmes intended to improve household incomes and livelihoods.

He cited the PDM, Restocking Program and Emyooga programme, a government initiative designed to support organised groups of small-scale entrepreneurs through specialised enterprise development funds, as an example of the need for effective mobilisation, coordination and accountability at the local level.

Ocen said government programmes can fail to reach intended beneficiaries when information is not properly shared among leaders and implementing officials.

He also pointed to the State House scholarship programme, saying inadequate coordination had at times left some government officials, including GISOs, unaware of available opportunities.

The LC5 chairperson urged leaders and technical staff to work as a team, share information and ensure communities receive timely information about government programmes and services.

Emyooga, which is implemented through organised groups and aims to provide affordable financing and promote enterprise development among selected categories of Ugandans, requires effective mobilisation and oversight at local government level to ensure beneficiaries are properly identified and supported.

Kapolon urged political leaders to maintain a constructive working relationship with technical officers and avoid unnecessary conflicts that could undermine service delivery.

He cautioned leaders against making accusations without evidence, saying genuine complaints should be investigated and handled through established administrative procedures.

The CAO also urged political leaders to understand their legal mandates and responsibilities to avoid interfering with the roles of technical officers.

He said training would be organised to help newly elected leaders understand their roles, responsibilities and limits within the local government system.

According to Kapolon, clear understanding of institutional responsibilities can help reduce conflicts between political and technical leadership while strengthening accountability in the delivery of government services.

The leaders emphasised that effective local government depends on leaders being accessible to communities, understanding local challenges, monitoring public services and maintaining cooperation between political and technical teams.

The meeting comes as Lamwo’s new political leadership begins its term, with leaders facing the task of strengthening accountability, improving public service delivery and ensuring government programmes reach intended beneficiaries across the district.

They said closer supervision and better coordination at the sub-county level would be critical in ensuring public resources and government programmes translate into tangible benefits for residents.