Lack of parish chiefs hinders parish development model in Kitgum

Kitgum, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The absence of a district service commission in Kitgum is delaying the recruitment of parish chiefs to implement the Parish Development Model.

The Parish Development Model is a government strategy that seeks to organize and deliver public and private sector interventions for wealth creation and employment generation at the parish level as the lowest economic planning unit.

During a council meeting held on Thursday, the councillors expressed concern about the delayed recruitment of parish chiefs, which could affect the program. They argued that the parish chiefs should have been recruited by October 30.

The councillor LCV representing Labongo Akwang sub county, Bosco Oketayot also expressed concerns on the disparities in the number of parish chiefs earmarked for recruitment in the entire district saying the required number was at 32 but only 26 slots had been advertised.

The female district councillor representing the youth, Jackeline Anek reiterated the delays in recruitment of parish chiefs saying they were overwhelmed by queries from the members of the public. Anek also says that despite having advertised for 26 slots for the parish chief and town agents, the figure was not commensurate to cater for the over 70 available parishes in the entire district.

The Kitgum LCV chairperson Christopher Obol Arwai, attributed the delays in recruitment of parish chiefs to the lack of a functional district service commission following the expiry of the term of service of the previous members.   Arwai says that the members of the district service commission were nominated by the previous council and their particulars were subsequently submitted to the Public Service Commission which has not yet approved the names.

William Komakech, the Kitgum Resident District Commissioner said that unspecified amounts of funds disbursed by the government are lying idle and unspent due to delays in recruitment of the parish chiefs.

The District Chief Administrative Officer Martin Jacan Gwoktoo admits that they won’t be able to meet the stipulated deadline of October 30. He however adds that there are plans to hire services of the district service commission from the neighbouring districts.

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