“My Job Is Not to Sit in an Air-Conditioned Office While Services Collapse”: Balaam Defends Field Inspections, Says Ministers Must Be Seen Where Problems Exist

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Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has defended his increasingly visible presence in districts across the country, arguing that effective leadership requires ministers to spend more time in communities than behind office desks.

Speaking during an interview on NBS Television, Balaam said his recent surprise inspections of schools, health centres, roads and local government projects are intended to ensure that government programmes deliver real results to ordinary Ugandans.

"My job is not to sit in an air-conditioned office while services collapse. I must go to the field and see what is happening for myself," Balaam said.

The minister explained that many of the challenges affecting local governments can only be properly understood through direct engagement with communities and frontline public servants.

According to Balaam, relying solely on reports prepared by officials often paints a different picture from the realities experienced by citizens on the ground.

He argued that ministers have a responsibility to verify whether public funds allocated to districts are producing the intended outcomes in sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure.

"Government programmes must translate into tangible benefits for citizens and that can only happen if leaders are willing to inspect and follow up on implementation," he said. Continue Reading The Article By Clicking Here.