Kotido District, June 1, 2026
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) of Kotido District, Mr. Trevor Solomon Baleke, has called for stronger collaboration between development partners and district leadership to ensure sustainable and inclusive development across the district.
Speaking during the Development Partners and District Stakeholders’ Engagement held at the district headquarters on Monday, Mr. Baleke emphasized the importance of regularly assessing the relevance and impact of development interventions on local communities.
Representing the Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Charles Ichogor, the DRDC thanked development partners for their continued support in key sectors such as healthcare, education, women empowerment, protection of the girl child, disability inclusion, livelihoods, and community development.
He noted that the progress being registered in Kotido and the wider Karamoja sub-region is largely a result of the peace and stability restored by the Government of Uganda under the leadership of His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“Because of peace, children are in school, health centres are functioning, communities are engaging in productive activities, and development partners are able to reach those most in need,” Mr. Baleke said.
The Deputy RDC challenged all institutions and organizations operating in the district to continuously evaluate whether their programmes are responding to the real needs of communities and delivering meaningful results.
“Development is not measured by the number of workshops held or reports written. It is measured by the smile of a healthy mother, the confidence of a girl who stays in school, the dignity of a person with a disability who is included in society, and the hope of a household whose future has improved,” he remarked.
Addressing concerns raised by some stakeholders regarding the concentration of development programmes on women and girls, Mr. Baleke reaffirmed the importance of empowering women and protecting the girl child, while calling for greater inclusion of men and boys in development initiatives.
He observed that sustainable development can only be achieved when all members of society are involved and empowered to contribute positively to their communities.
“We need responsible fathers, productive young men, empowered women, educated girls, and protected children. Development should unite families, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for all,” he said.
The Deputy RDC further urged development partners to maintain close coordination with district leaders and technical teams to ensure interventions are aligned with local priorities and community needs.
He stressed that partnership goes beyond sharing resources and requires collective responsibility in transforming the lives of the people of Kotido.
As he officially begins his service in the district following his recent transfer, Mr. Baleke pledged his commitment to promoting peace, accountability, inclusion, and socio-economic transformation through constructive engagement with all stakeholders.
The engagement brought together district leaders, technical officers, security officials, religious and cultural leaders, as well as representatives of various development partner organizations operating in Kotido District.
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