Local Government minister Francis Kaboneka has told local leaders to serve and deliver as expected or step down.

The minister, who was addressing local leaders from Eastern Province at their general assembly in Kitazigurwa, Rwamagana District, on Wednesday, said the government was assessing development impact of every leader at individual level.

"We are at an advanced phase where we want to know how every person’s livelihood stands vis-à-vis what you are doing as leaders. What people eat, their access to medical care, sanitation, etc, is our concern,” he told the local leaders.

Emphasising on accountability, Kaboneka told the leaders to be embarrassed by the fact that some standing community issues were only recently exposed by legislators on a tour of the communities.

"How do you wait for MPs and senators to come and tell you what to do in your districts? We are closing in on every cell, village, sector and district for fact-finding. You have no option but to deliver,” he said.

The minister warned the leaders against mismanagement and embezzling public funds, adding that public interest should come ahead of personal one.

"Some of you flout procurement procedures, and get involved in corruption. It is a disgrace that people are asked to pay a bribe for a service they have a right to. This has occurred in health insurance programmes, Gir’inka, VUP, among others,” he said.

He said it was ironical that many local leaders performed poorly after receiving vehicles compared to when they depended on motorcycles for transport.

"You have vehicles, but you are not as committed as your predecessors. The people you lead are not blind; they watch every step you take and judge you accordingly.”

Several local leaders in the province admitted failing to serve the people as expected of them, but pledged improvement.

Kazungu Ndayambaje, from Kiziguro Sector, Gatsibo District, said they were all guilty of the failure.

"We have no excuse whatsoever for failure. We were trained in various places...Gabiro, Nkumba, among others, but we never lived up to expectations,” he said.

The local leaders signed contracts with the minister, committing to adhere to the values that promote good governance.

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