Understanding the Roles of Elected Officials
As campaigns for Members of Parliament (MPs), local councils, and mayors kick off, many voters remain unclear about the specific roles and mandates of the leaders they elect. Across communities, citizens continue to demand services such as ambulances, hospitals, schools, payment of school fees, and road repairs from candidates—tasks that legally fall under government ministries and local government authorities.
The Mandate of Members of Parliament
Article 79 of the Constitution outlines the core functions of MPs. Primarily, they are responsible for legislation, making laws to ensure peace, order, development, and good governance in the country. MPs also have a representation role, presenting the views, needs, and grievances of their constituents on the floor of Parliament. Under budget approval, MPs scrutinise, debate, and approve the national budget, including government borrowing and loan requests. Furthermore, through their oversight role, MPs monitor government operations to ensure public resources are used efficiently, lawfully, and for their intended purposes.
However, tasks such as constructing roads, paying medical bills, providing personal financial support, or directly delivering health and education services are not part of an MP’s official mandate. These responsibilities fall under ministries, government departments, agencies, and local governments.
Realities on the Ground
Some MPs say the realities on the ground force them to perform roles beyond their mandate. “Once elected, voters expect you to provide services directly. Many Members of Parliament try to lobby, and when that fails, you often end up buying these services yourself,” said Mr Anthony Akol, the MP for Kilak North.
“If you don’t meet these expectations, you risk being voted out. We are dragged into performing roles that are not ours as MPs,” he added. Mr Yusuf Nsibambi, the MP for Mawokota South, added that MPs are often pressured or “blackmailed” into delivering services outside their mandate.
“The government focuses on classified accounts and the military, which has little impact on the common man. There are no hospitals, no planning for roads, no proper school programmes. We are torn,” Mr Nsibambi said.
“I came to Parliament without taking any loans, but now you cannot survive without borrowing or selling personal property to stay connected with your electorate,” he added. Ms Christine Kaaya, the Kiboga District Woman MP, noted the decline in service delivery.
“People used to access support directly from the Ministry of Agriculture or local government departments. Today, voters approach MPs demanding agriculture extension services or other benefits, which are not part of our mandate,” she said.
Local Government Responsibilities
Under the Local Government Act, Cap 243, responsibility for service delivery rests with district, municipal, town council, and sub-county administrations. Councillors serve as a link between communities and local government, raising concerns in council meetings, debating and passing budgets, and monitoring the implementation of government programmes in education, health, roads, water, and agriculture sectors.
They also participate in making local by-laws but are not required to finance projects from personal funds. Their mandate is to ensure that government resources are used effectively and technical officers are held accountable.
The Role of Mayors
Sections 28 and 30 of the Local Government Act designate the mayor as the political head of a city or municipality. The mayor oversees implementation of government programmes and urban development policies, including city planning, road networks, building standards, sanitation, garbage collection, market management, and municipal services. The mayor works alongside councillors and technical staff, led by the Town Clerk or City Clerk, to ensure urban services are delivered efficiently.
Challenges Faced by Elected Officials
Once elected, voters expect you to provide services directly. Many Members of Parliament try to lobby, and when that fails, you often end up buying these services yourself,” Anthony Akol, MP for Kilak North.
“I came to Parliament without taking any loans, but now you cannot survive without borrowing or selling personal property to stay connected with your electorate,” Yusuf Nsibambi, MP for Mawokota South.