Mbale City, Uganda: Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) across Uganda have strongly called for mandatory training in administrative law for all local government staff, citing its critical role in improving service delivery and safeguarding public resources.
The position was revealed in a mini-survey conducted by Makerere University Mbale Branch under the Department of Community Education, which gathered opinions from CAOs and reviewed reports by the Inspectorate of Government, State House Anti-Corruption Unit, and the Police.
Mr. Luke Lukuda, the Chief Administrative Officer for Mbale District, underscored that administrative law is essential for lawful and consistent decision-making.
“As the CAO of Mbale District, I want all my staff to have knowledge of administrative law because it promotes fair, legal, and consistent decisions guided by the law. It also helps them guide communities on human rights issues,” Lukuda said.
He added that he recently directed the District Service Commission to prioritise applicants with administrative law qualifications in addition to their primary credentials.
Lukuda warned that many public officers are being arrested over mismanagement of government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), which could be avoided through training.
“As a CAO, I am uncomfortable when I see my staff being arrested. Makerere University should support us by training all staff since they have centres spread across the country,” he noted.
Dr. Waswa Masokoyi, the CAO of Rukungiri District, agreed with the recommendations and petitioned Makerere University to open a centre in Rukungiri. “Knowledge of administrative law reduces administrative mistakes, which can be very costly. We shall allocate free space for a training centre,” he pledged.
Makerere University Mbale Branch Director Mr. Steven Masiga said the institution was alarmed by recurring reports of corruption and poor decisions in local governments.
“We can’t fold our hands while our people are corrupted by the evils of capitalism. This course helps staff distinguish between private cash and public funds,” Masiga said.
He explained that administrative law covers criminal law, anti-corruption measures, and the legal frameworks necessary to implement government policies effectively.
The university’s administrative law course is taught at centres in Mbale, Busia, Soroti, Iganga, Wakiso, Mubende, Lira, and the main campus. It includes modules on criminal law, constitutional law, contract law, administrative law, and criminal procedure.
According to Masiga, Makerere’s extramural mandate to deliver community-focused education dates back to the 1960s, helping civil servants and teachers acquire critical legal and governance skills.
“Last year, after similar findings, many headteachers and deputies were confirmed in their positions after completing the administrative law course,” he added.
The survey used randomized sampling, purposeful observation, literature review, and analysis of official reports. Makerere University plans to engage CAOs closely to roll out the training more widely.
Contact Details for Training Centres:
Mbale Branch: 0782231577 / 0706655811 | Busia Centre: 0782987600
Soroti Centre: 0772516408 | Iganga Centre: 0774195023
Wakiso Centre: 07724273680 | Lira Centre: 0773495700
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