By Eye Media Uganda | Namutumba | October 3, 2026

The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda, has issued a stern warning to Resident District and City Commissioners implicated in corruption, declaring that she will neither defend nor protect them from disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

Babalanda said corrupt officials cannot effectively serve as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s eyes in the districts, stressing that integrity, patriotism, accountability and performance will determine the appointment and retention of RDCs, RCCs, deputies and assistants.

“If you are corrupt, you cannot be the President’s eye in the district. This time round, H.E. the President will only appoint patriots to take on the responsibilities of RDCs and RCCs,” she said.

The minister made the remarks on Saturday while officiating at a fundraising event for the construction of Ivukula Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nsinze Town Council, Namutumba District.

She said recent developments in Pallisa and other districts had demonstrated the need for officers representing the President to observe the highest standards of integrity, accountability and professionalism.

Babalanda warned that officials found, after due process, to have extorted money from Parish Development Model SACCOs, solicited bribes for employment opportunities or colluded with technical officers to misappropriate government resources would face disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

“Public office is a responsibility to serve citizens, not an opportunity for personal enrichment,” she said.

She added that appropriate disciplinary action, including interdiction, would be taken, while suspected criminal conduct would be referred to the relevant investigative and prosecutorial agencies.

The minister particularly condemned RDCs who demand fuel or other facilitation from residents before undertaking official field monitoring, noting that the Government already facilitates them to perform those duties.

“It is unacceptable for an RDC to demand fuel or other facilitation from wananchi before undertaking official field monitoring,” Babalanda said.

She reminded RDCs that their duties include monitoring government programmes, protecting public resources, identifying obstacles to service delivery and ensuring that government interventions benefit citizens equitably.

Babalanda said RDCs must be visible and proactive in the field instead of waiting for ministers and other senior government officials to visit their districts before addressing corruption, poor service delivery and abuse of public resources.

She revealed that the Office of the President had conducted several capacity-building workshops and repeatedly cautioned RDCs, their deputies and assistants against corruption and other forms of misconduct.

The minister, however, emphasised that allegations against public officials must be handled through proper administrative, investigative and judicial procedures, with the rights of accused persons and due process respected.

During the function, Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Museveni; the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni; the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande; and the entire staff of the Office of the President.

She also thanked President Museveni and the people of Busoga for honouring her invitation to the thanksgiving ceremony held at Iringa Township Primary School in Buyende District on September 23, 2026.