Arua district is managed and administered in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 and the Local Governments Act 1997 and its amendments of 2001 and 2005. It is administered through politically established and civil service structures. The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), appointed by the president represents the president and central government in the District; advises the District Chairperson on matters of national nature that may affects the Districts plans and programmes; coordinates the administration of central government services in the District; and monitors and inspects activities of local governments among others.
POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
The District Council is the highest political authority and has the legislative and executive powers. It consists of a total 33 Councillors meet once in two months. The council is composed of:
a) The Chairperson who is the political head of the district and is elected through universal adult suffrage.
b) One councillor elected directly to represent an electoral area of the district;
c) Two councillors one of whom is a female representing the youths in the district;
d) Two councillors, one of who is a female representing person with disability
e) Women councillors forming one-third of the council such that the councillors mentioned under (b), (c) and (d) shall form two-thirds of the council.
The District Speaker elected from among members of the council presides over the meeting of the council. The District Council is the highest political authority within the jurisdiction of the of the District Local Government and exercises executive and legislative powers in accordance the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995) and the Local Government Act(1997).
Below the Council is the District Executive Committee which comprises of the Chairperson as the Chief Executive, Vice Chairperson and Secretaries responsible for the various sectors. The Executive Committee at the District level is the replica of the Cabinet at the national level and is responsible for policy formulation and monitoring the implementation of lawful decisions of the Council.
The Council conducts business through standing committees. There are committees responsible for the various sectors.
Since the start of the decentralization process, the quality of the district political leadership has continued to improve. The district council is gifted with persons with impressive educational levels and experience in various fields. They are therefore able to work with their appointed counterparts at more or less on equal footing. They are also better able to understand and interpret the laws and policies of government and hence able to make informed decisions and policies for the district. The working relationship between the district council and the civil servants has been quite good because the councillors understand their roles and that of the civil servants reasonably well.
There is still remain some gaps that needs to be addressed in order to make the political leadership more effective and efficient. Critical areas include:
a) Understanding of the laws governing Local Government operations. The LGA 1997 and the Local Governments Financial and Accounting Regulations 2007; are the basis of local governments operation, it is therefore imperative that all LG staff (political and appointed) is conversant with the relevant provisions. It is important that the councillors’ knowledge about the LGA 1997 and other laws governing local governments are enhanced.
b) Policy Formulation: the major domain of the political leaders is policy formulation. Many politicians are insufficiently versed with issues related to policy formulation. It is important that Executives and Committee Chairpersons are empowered with basic skills on policy formulation.
c) Lack of basic managerial skills for the Executives. The Executives play an important role of supervising civil servants in their respective line departments. Unfortunately, most of the Executives lack basic management skills and this makes it difficult for them to be effective.
d) Lack of basic monitoring skills. The Executives are responsible for monitoring and supervision of programmes. They require some basic knowledge in order to be able to do so. Many of the District Executives lack these skills.
STATUTORY BODIES
Boards and Commissions are statutory bodies established to carry out functions that fall outside of the normal council business. They are provided for to foster transparency and accountability in the delivery of services to the people. Boards and commissions perform very important functions in the service of the district, many of which have legal implications and if not properly discharged can cause financial loss to the District Council. It is important that the members serving in those organs are well versed with their roles. Given that members of these organs change from time to time, it is important that they are provided with opportunities to improve their performances through training and exchange of ideas with their counterparts in other local governments and central government.
a) The District Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
The District Public Accounts Committee comprises of four members appointed by the Chairperson of the district with the approval of the Executives and one representative from the urban authorities. Members of the Committee are non-members of a local government council and administration. The role of this Committee is to examine the reports of the Auditor General, Chief internal Auditor and any reports of commissions of inquiry. In exercising its role, the committee may require attendance of any Councillor or technical staff to explain matters arising from the reports. The Committee submits its reports to the Council and to the Minister for Local Government who in turn submits it to Parliament.
The District Chairperson and the Chief Administrative Officer are responsible for implementing recommendations of the Committee. Like other Committees of the council and the council itself, the LGPAC meets once in two months.
b) The District Procurement Committee (DPC).
The District Contracts Committee (DCC) consists of seven members appointed by the Chief Administrative Officer after approval by the Secretary to the Treasury. Members of the Contracts Committee are appointed from amongst civil servants within the Local Government and hold office for a period of three years and are eligible for re-appointment for one more term only. The DCC is responsible for awarding of all contracts for the procurement and disposal of services and works. In the discharge of its functions, the DCC in conformity with the standards established by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDPAA) for procurement of goods, services and works and is guided by The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act (2003) and The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Regulations (2003). They meet as and when required.
c) District Land Board (DLB)
The DLB is established to handle all issues related to land administration including lease of land to developers.
d) District Service Commission (DSC)
The DSC is established with the district wide mandate to recruit, confirm, promote, discipline and fire employees of the district. Members of the DSC are appointed by the District Council on the recommendation of the District Executive committee and with the approval of the Public Service Commission. Members of the DSC hold offices for a period of four years and are eligible for re-appointment for one more term of office. In the discharge of its duties, the DSC works according to the standards set up by the Public Service commission; and is not subject to the direction and control of any person or authority.
