UCCC brainstorms to tackle challenges facing councils.

Over 20 mayors from across the national territory attended meeting which was chaired by the President of UCCC, Augustin Tamba. 

The municipal authorities discussed on local taxation and how councils can mobiliee their personal funds, handle salary arrears, recruitment, management, and motivation of council staff, and constraints related to the funding of council projects.

They also brainstormed on the difficulties in the execution, monitoring, and completion of local development projects and how councils can take charge of powers transferred to them and the support mechanisms needed for better local governance to thrive.

The meeting was also a platform to examine the structural challenges hindering municipal action, including weak financial resources, insufficient transfers, cumbersome administrative procedures, growing population needs, the insufficient modernization of municipal services, and the need to strengthen the technical and organizational capacities of local authorities.

UCCC president told reporters after the in camera session that the meeting held in line with the progressive implementation of full decentralization in Cameroon.

Tamba who doubles as the Mayor of Yaounde VII said the meeting enabled them to draft proposals that will be forwarded to the Prime Minister, Head of Government, through the Minister of Decentralization and Local Development, on ways to facilitate the tasks of councils.

He said UCCC is acting in line with the request of the Prime Minister made during the last National Decentralization Board meeting, for the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development to come up with concrete proposals for the various issues affecting the smooth functioning of councils.

“As an umbrella organisation for municipalities, we believe we need to come together to contribute toward enriching the document that the minister is set to present to the Prime Minister,” Tamba said. 

Aside the proposals, he said the meeting enabled them to better review difficulties, share field experiences, and identify realistic and sustainable solutions to consolidate the role of councils and their authorities in promoting local development and improving the living conditions of the population.

“There are issues regarding municipal staff salaries, insolvency problems, mayors whose accounts have been frozen by State institutions, and taxation challenges. All of these matters deserve attention. We are key stakeholders and a source of practical solutions. We believe our role is to support the government and help them help us through the difficulties we are facing,” Tamba explained. 

Enter Kumba City Mayor  

Other mayors who attended the meeting made similar declarations. Kumba City Mayor, Gregory Mewanu, described the meeting as strategic and timely.

He said it placed UCCC in a good position to properly dialogue with the government amid the ongoing reforms in local taxation. Mewanu said such collaborations are necessary to address shortcoming noticed in the laws governing decentralization.

He mentioned the new code for local taxation which is aimed at improving councils’ ability in mobilizing their own resources, securing local revenue, and strengthening the financial autonomy of council authorities, as not fully functional as concerns cash flow.

He sounded upbeat that with the goodwill of the Head of State, a definite solution will be provided for financing of decentralization to be effective. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3870 of Thursday August 06, 2026