LED was introduced as the 6th pillar of decentralization in Uganda in 2006, however, despite the existence of legal and policy framework (LED Strategy 2014)  as well as programmes to aid the coordination and implementation of LED initiatives, there is limited internalization and localization of these policies and insufficient alignment across government programmes. At LG level, capacity gaps in understanding the concept of LED, an absence of resources (personnel and financial), the limited private sector and community involvement in planning LED initiatives, weak legislative mandate, and the disproportionate relationship between central government and Local Governments are some of the challenges affecting the implementation of the LED Policy (2014). Accordingly, the MoLG has launched a new National LED Strategy (2022) to demystify the concept of LED and create a better integrated national and local mechanisms for improved internalization, localization and implementation of LED. 

On 7th March, 2023, VNG International in collaboration with Ministry of Local Government and the Uganda Investment Authority facilitated an orientation of Kalangala District stakeholders on the National Strategy for Local Economic Development (LED) 2021/22 – 2024/25 as part of the SDLG programme intervention. The workshop aimed to orient the participants and stakeholders on the concept of LED, the mandate of Local Governments in the implementation of LED, the governance structures and mechanisms for LED and provide an overview of LED strategy and guidelines that LGs can adapted to localize LED initiatives. A total of 45 Local Government actors and stakehoders – that included private sector players, heads of departments, elected leaders and the representatives of Civil Society Organizations attended the workshop.

“……to be sincere, we had very little knowledge about LED and how to apply it within our local contexts. We are not the same as we came in the morning. We have acquired new knowledge on LED, which will help us to carry-on the next steps. We have also realized that we did not have well-adjusted structures and partnerships to implement LED-focused community initiatives. With the timelines for forming the LEDIC and holding the initial LEDIC engagement meeting, we are good to go. My sincere appreciation to VNG International for the financial support and Ministry of Local Government for the Technical Guidance and oversight….”

Mr. Mukasa Godfrey representative the Chief Administrative Officer – Kalangala District Local Government

The orientation complements the efforts of the Ugandan Government to rollout the LED strategy across Local Governments (LGs), and more importantly, it is an initial step towards addressing the issue of: “Low local revenue collection which results in poor resource allocation and implementation of LED initiatives and social protection in Kalangala district,”

“…On behalf of the Ministry and Government of Uganda, I give my sincere thanks to VNG International for supporting Government programs, most especially for the printing copies of the National LED Policy 2014 and National Strategy for LED and financing this important sensitization workshop. Thank you VNG International for making this possible. I urge the district leadership to start small and ensure the relevant structures are in place to be able to tap into the existing support for localizing the LED strategy and partnership opportunities for promotion of LED in the district…..”

Mr. Emmanuel Muhanguzi Assistant Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government