Let $Q\to M$ be a principal $G$-bundle, and $B_0$ a connection on $Q$. We introduce an infinitesimal homogeneity condition for sections in an associated vector bundle $Q\times_GV$ with respect to $B_0$, and, inspired by the well known Ambrose-Singer theorem, we prove the existence of a connection which satisfies a system of parallelism conditions. We explain how this general theorem can be used to prove the known Ambrose-Singer type theorems by an appropriate choice of the initial system of data.We also obtain new applications, which cannot be obtained using the known formalisms, e.g. a classification theorem for locally homogeneous spinors. Finally we introduce natural local homogeneity and local symmetry conditions for triples $(g,P\stackrel{p}{\to} M,A)$ consisting of a Riemannian metric on $M$, a principal bundle on $M$, and a connection on $P$. Our main results concern locally homogeneous and locally symmetric triples, and they can be viewed as bundle versions of the Ambrose-Singer and Cartan theorem.

32 pages