In Kalaki, key positions such as District Engineer, District Education Officer, District Health Officer, and District Planner are vacant. District Speaker Immaculate Ilado Uhuru mentioned that although caretakers are in place, some are not qualified for their roles.
Local government officials have identified inadequate staffing as a significant issue affecting service delivery in both old and newly created administrative units. This problem was highlighted during a regional budget consultative meeting held in Lira City, where officials from several districts in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions reported staffing levels below the required thresholds.
For instance, Amolatar District is operating with only three out of the twelve needed heads of departments, 19 substantively appointed head teachers, and nine deputies for its 53 primary schools. Overall, the district has only 45 percent of the required staff. Paul Samuel Mbiiwa, the Amolatar Chief Administrative Officer, noted that this shortage has severely impacted service delivery, particularly in education.
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However, Mbiiwa is hopeful that the operationalization of the district service commission will address this issue soon.
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In Kalaki, key positions such as District Engineer, District Education Officer, District Health Officer, and District Planner are vacant. District Speaker Immaculate Ilado Uhuru mentioned that although caretakers are in place, some are not qualified for their roles.
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James Oling, the Senior Planner at Kwania District Local Government, reported that while the district has 65 percent of its required staff, departments like production are particularly under-resourced in terms of extension workers.
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James Ojiji Eisu, the Kabermaido District Speaker, highlighted that his district is struggling with a 35 percent staffing level in the health department. The district lacks a District Health Officer and other essential health staff.
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Gulu City is operating with none of the required 20 extension workers and only four out of ten heads of departments, resulting in an overall staffing composition of 34 percent. Caroline Rose Adong, the Secretary for Finance and Administration, explained that the city is subcontracting private extension workers to provide necessary services.
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Ronald Mbala, the Senior Urban Officer at the Ministry of Local Government, acknowledged the low staffing levels across various administrative units. He advised district leadership to formally request recruitment clearance from the Ministry to address the staffing shortages.
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The meeting was attended by representatives from districts such as Kwania, Amolatar, Kalaki, Kaberamaido, Gulu District and City, and Kiryandongo.
