By Emmanuel Olinga
Following Katakwi’s admirable Service delivery, particularly in the education and road sectors, Katakwi District Local Government hosted Serere District Local Government on Friday, May 16, 2025, making it the second district to visit for service delivery benchmarking.
Among the important features benchmarked are local revenue skills mobilization and IRAS management for revenue development, Local Economic Development, and a comparison of agricultural programs such as MAAIF and cooperatives, among others.
Hendry Opio, District Speaker of Serere District, stated that the trip will now assist them in addressing financial shortfalls in order to raise service delivery standards.
Serere district, which is blessed with lakes and fishing locations, as well as two larger marketplaces for revenue collection in Kasilo and Ocaapa while in the education system Serere as a district charges a minimum of 10,000 shillings for Parent-Teacher Associations in order to boost education.
According to Harriet Faith Akwii, Principal Assistant Secretary PAS, says Katakwi district with has 20 sub counties, sixteen sub counties, four town councils, 635 village lower local councils, 131 Parishes, and 341 Local Council three, benefits from transitional grant and Legs projects and non-governmental organizations that help improve on service delivery.
Simon Esidai stated that Katakwi district council has held six council meetings since last year, with four council years scheduled for 2025 to scrutinize service delivery.
However, Geoffrey Okaka, Chief Administrative Officer of Serere District, with 15 smaller local administrative units, 8 sub counties, seven town councils, and 34 district councilors, interested in benchmarking on revenue techniques and skills utilized to manage revenue collection.
George Patrick Okello, Senior Finance Officer and Integrated Revenue Administration System IRAS Focal Point Person, underlined that Katakwi district has successfully implemented IRAs, which contributes to strong revenue collections.
He also stated that they had concluded the valuation of property, which the ministry had previously signed.
They also support the subordinate district administrative units, particularly in motivating staff and closely monitoring revenue collection personnel.
He did, however, pointed out that the high expenses of operating on the IRAS system have an impact because data is required for communication.
They are considering establishing revenue task funds to address the public’s revenue opposition.
According to Angella Atim, District Education Officer Katakwi, they have successfully trained the school management committee to manage Universal Primary Education money in a truthful and transparent manner as they authorize scholastic products.
Atim further stated that the district has maintained a positive working relationship with teachers, parents, as well as capacity building monies to retool capacity shortages.
She also stated that good relationships with communities are being fostered during school meetings.
She also stated that the district advocates for development partners, mentioning the Japan embassy as an example of someone who has helped with infrastructure, particularly classroom construction.
Above all, Atim stated that political lobbying has benefited the district by encouraging residents to attend AGMs.
She also stated that regular meetings and records be kept in the SMC, with a minimum of three meetings held at each level of primary and high school.
Geoffrey Omolo LCV and Samuel Barker Opio, Katakwi’s Deputy Chief Administration Officer, welcomed the team and expressed gratitude to Serere district for selecting Katakwi for benchmarking.
According to Omolo, one notable element Katakwi district has done, particularly in education, is to attend AGM meetings to identify the difficulties encountered by the education sector schools and to implement measures to address them.
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