Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, Issue 13/14 The Uganda constitution of 1995 spelt out the principle of decentralisation by devolution. From 1995 to 2005 district local governments had a legal mandate to hire and fire all categories of civil servants through their respective district commissioners (DSCs). Following the constitutional amendment in September 2005, the right to hire and fire district chief administrative officers (CAOs) reverted to central government. The paper argues that recentralisation of CAO appointments ahs confused reporting, reduced the autonomy of sub-national governments, undermined accountability of CAOs to elected councils, and shifted the loyalty of CAOs from the local governments for which they work. to the central government that appoints and deploys them. The paper advocates for decentralisation of CAO appointments, with participation of central government in their recruitment within the confines of a separate personnel system.

Botswana is a democratic republic with a two-tier system of government: central government is headed by the president, and local government headed by a mayor in towns/cities and a council chairperson in rural districts. There is no constitutional provision for local government the main legislative text is the Local Government Act 2012. The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is charged with providing policy direction and guidance. Local government comprises 16 administrative districts (ten rural, six urban). Under thee there are 20 sub-districts including four administrative authorities. Governance at local level is also based on a traditional system of villages headed by a kgosi (chief). This traditional system works cooperatively with the district councils. Although councils have legal powers to collect certain taxes, levies and fees, central government provides over 90% of their total recurrent revenue. Statutory council functions include provision of primary education, infrastructure,tertiary and access roads, health and sanitation, economic and physical development, collection and management of waste, and general maintenance of law and order.