Resident District/City Commissioners and the Deputies have been instructed to make sure all presidential directives and government programs are implemented in their respective districts and cities of jurisdiction.
The instruction was on Monday June 12, 2023 issued by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande while opening a two-day capacity building workshop for RDCs/RCCs, Deputies, DISOs and RISOs from Busoga subregion at the Source of the Nile Hotel, Jinja City.
Hajji Kakande said no saboteurs of any government programs should be tolerated by RDCs and the deputies but must make sure such programs succeed as they are the only means by which government is set to ensure socio-economic transformation of wananchi.
“Government is counting on you because your offices are number one in thr district and you are mandated by the Constitution under Article 203 to monitor all government programs.
You are the eyes of the President in the district. When you fail, you fail him,” he said.
The PS said was proud of the hard work exhibited by the current team of RDCs to the extent that in the last two years, the office of RDC has gained a lot of public trust than before.
“Previously people would say the office of RDC should be phased out but I am glad that these days politicians come to my office appealing to me not to change their favourite RDCs an indication that your office is highly recognised” Kakande said
He however expressed dismay over numerous reports that indicate that Busoga subregion ranks number three among the poorest regions despite the region.
Hajji Kakande said, with the vast fertile soils and tourist sites, Busoga leaders only need to help the people to change their mindset and tap into the available resources to improve the status quo.
“In the 1960s Busoga was the food basket of Uganda. Ground nuts and maize used to come from this region. Busoga used to compete eith Senegal in ground nuts production.
Therefore, I am not undermining sugarcane, but if is wrong for someone to lease his 10 acres of land for Shs 10 million for a period of six or more years. By the time the tenancy expires, he would have become poorer,” he warned.
Kakande encourages RDC to advise district leadership to tap into the Busoga’s tourism potential to generate income locally.
Hajji Kakande also advised RDCs to sensitize the masses about environmental protection by vacating wetlands and stop deforestation.
He said if people are guided on food production and household income generation, the NRM would be given tick and people would vote for it into power again and again.
“Your jobs as RDCs are there for as long as President Museveni is still in power. Should he leave office, then automatically your jobs will be no more. Therefore make sure your action attract more support for him. Monitor government programs jealously,” Kakande appealed.
Hajji Kakande also tasked the commissioners and DISOs to work as a team in the fight against corruption.
“Without a fight against corruption, all other development goals could be compromised,” he warned.
