The Minister for Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda has implored the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) and their deputies to intensify mobilisation for government ahead of the busy political season.
“You cannot be a government representative but fear to speak for the government or mobilise for the government. You are the official spokesperson for the government yet you fear to talk about what the government has done or you say you are a civil servant and cannot involve yourself in mobilising for the re-election of President Museveni,” she said.
Hon. Babalanda made the remarks today during a zoom address to all RDCs/RCCs/ Deputies and Assistants. The zoom meeting was during the closure of a 3-day capacity building workshop for RDCs, RCCs, deputies, RISOs and DISOs in the central Region, held at Maya Nature Resort, Wakiso District.
The Minister emphasised that the commissioners should take their work seriously by multiplying their efforts when it comes to mobilisation.
“Stop sleeping, the task is heavy. It is sad to note that some of you are sleeping on the job. In the coming elections, the NRM should score even higher. Try to understand why the NRM did not perform well in your areas and bridge these gaps. If we did well in your areas, try to multiply these achievements.”
Hon. Babalanda further commended the commissioners in the central region for popularising wealth creation efforts in their respective districts and cities.
“I wish to commend you in this area. I have been receiving reports from Hon. Galabuzi from the PDM Secretariat and Hon. Haruna Kasolo from the Emyooga Program commending some RDCs for excelling in their deliveries. I am, however, aware of a number of districts where Emyoga still has difficulties,” she said.
The Minister also informed the commissioners that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is scheduled to tour Bukedi, Sebei, Bugisu, Busoga and Kampala Metropolitan area starting in mid- October 2024 where he will be undertaking performance audits of the Emyooga and PDM and even on the matter of corruption in delivery of public services.
“As you know, the President interacts directly with the citizens during these tours. It will therefore be embarrassing for the people to raise issues of corruption when as RDCs you do not have the information.”
Hon. Babalanda therefore, appealed to the RDCs/RCCs/Deputies and Assistants in the areas she mentioned to prepare upfront by not leaving any gaps that would embarrass them.
“Indeed, as I talk now the President is replacing four RDCs in order to boost the wealth creation programs. Therefore, you should wake up before you are replaced by the president for sleeping on your jobs.”
On the other hand, Hon. Babalanda cautioned the commissioners against conflicts amongst themselves.
“You should not appear as if you are competing. We recruited Assistants in order to boost your work especially in field and radio mobilisation and I commend those of you who are doing good work in this area,” she said.
The Minister warned that the Office of the President will not entertain undisciplined and corrupt staff and those found guilty will be dismissed.
“I am consequently directing the RDCs/RCCs through the RDC Secretariat to assign the Assistants to monitor the government programs at the constituency level. They should be assessing the constituencies to monitor government programs. This will help to minimise conflicts and unnecessary fights,” she said.
“Now that we have Regional Commissioners sitting in the regions, they should be able to supervise implementation of this directive. They should ensure all the constituencies are monitored on a 24/7 basis by the ARDCs. This will help to boost mobilisation activities.”
On the other hand, the Minister lauded some RDCs for the proper handling of land matters in their areas.
“I have been receiving complaints about a few of you who are castigated for using a lot of force to handle the members of the public and for participating in corruption tendencies especially in land matters. This is a problem largely reported in the Buganda area,” she said.
“I am nonetheless happy that the majority of you are able to handle land issues well and this has resulted in reductions in illegal evictions. Yet the mistakes made by a few of your colleagues have tarnished the image of the Presidency.”
On the issue of the dress code, the Minister advised the commissioners to dress well in order to bring out the real image of the President, whom they represent in their respective districts and cities.
“RDCs should at-least buy a suit every month i.e. 12 suits a year. I need to refer you to the public standing orders to learn about your dress code. In this regard I am directing the Principal Human Resource Officer through the Secretary, Office of the President to follow up on this matter in order to avoid embarrassing the presidency.”
Furthermore, Hon. Babalanda reiterated why the Office of the President had to recruit more staff (Assistant RDCs/RCCs) in the Office of the RDC/RCC.
“This is actually the time when we had the challenge of illegal staff recruitments in the RDC office. These staff were actually doing odd jobs in the office including acting as middlemen and clearing agents and were threatening to overturn the RDC Office. Therefore, we got the support of many of you to recruit the Assistants,” she asserted.
“Since their recruitment, we have eliminated these vices. The discipline in the RDC office is better now, mobilisation in the field and on radio is improved, the long lines of clients at the RDC Office has reduced significantly, all because we have a sufficient number of staff that can handle matters of the office. It is therefore important to nurture and mentor these Assistants. They need your encouragement to grow in the service and to support you even better.”
Hon. Babalanda also warned the RDCs against misusing the army attire.
It has been raised as a concern by the UPDF that some RDCs/RCCs who are not army officers put on army attires contrary to provisions of the UPDF Act. Similarly, some of you are in possession of guns and pistols without the knowledge of your supervisors,” she said.
“As a requirement, RDCs/RCCs/Deputies/ Assistants with weapons are required to write to the Secretary Office of the President and copy it to me, giving the sources of the weapons. Those with army attires should henceforth desist from wearing them because it is against the law.”
The Director Manifesto Implementation Unit- Office of the President, Mr. Willis Bashaasha who highlighted the summary of the manifesto 2021-2026 midterm review findings, informed the participants that as the unit, they are mandated to monitor the progress of implementation of the Manifesto commitments and reports to the Presidency and other government entities accordingly.
He implored the commissioners to ensure that the Manifesto is implemented.
“You are the people who are supposed to put this right and make sure it’s successful,” the Director said.
Mr. Bashaasha also urged the commissioners to do oversight inspections on all government projects and programs in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
“Stop being arm-chair people, go to the field and know how the project is progressing and its intended purpose. Also go and commission all government programs and projects,” he said.
He also called upon the commissioners to ensure security in their districts and cities.
Mr. Bashaasha said the size of the economy grew by 6 percent in Financial Year 2023/2024 and it was predominantly driven by the industry sector, coupled with positive contributions from agriculture, forestry, fishing and services sectors of the economy, supported by continued implementation of growth supportive government programs and infrastructure.
“Presently, the annual headline inflation is at 3.3 percent, a significant decrease from 8.0 percent in 2022/2023. The Central Bank Rate (CBR) is at 10.25 percent (BOU, June 2024),” he said.
He added that in the period under review, the direct employment opportunities registered during this implementation period are 1,259,275 jobs computed from manufacturing, services, Emyooga, Tourism, Judiciary, Energy sector and Presidential Initiative on Skilling.
“For the Financial Year 2023/2024,Shs1. 0594 trillion was appropriated to capitalise the 10,594 PDM savings and Cooperatives societies (SACCOS) countrywide.”
The NRM Vice Chairperson- Central Region, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi reemphasized Hon. Babalanda’s call to the Commissioners to mobilise for the government to ensure that the NRM party is voted again in 2026.
“I was an RDC for five years and I know what that office can do in the district,” he said.
Hon. Kiwanda added that for the party to win any election, they need to have formidable candidates in every position.
“Even if you have support but have a weak candidate, you could lose an election. We should also work as a team to achieve a common goal.”
The former Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Daudi Migereko underscored the importance of mobilisation in service delivery.
He urged the commissioners to work hard to ensure that President Museveni and the NRM retain power come 2026.
“Presentability and being organized is a very critical matter. If you look disorganized, people will lose interest in you and the Office you represent. There’s an image and appearance you must put up to suit the Fountain of Honor’s office. Be well informed like the Fountain of honour, he is always informed. You must be on top of the game so that you can mobilise for the government well,” Hon. Migereko noted.
“When the people come to you, they think you will give them the best information on the challenges they have. If you don’t have that information, use the communication channels you have for consultations. Don’t tell lies.”
The former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development also advised the participants to avoid intrigue if they want to succeed in fulfilling their duties.
Avoid intrigue. You cannot succeed if you allow intrigue to take Centre stage. Allow team work, everyone on your team has a contribution to you. You should work as a team to achieve the common purpose and agenda.”
He informed the participants that as they go about their sensitization work, there are some crucial documents that they need to have in order to successfully do their work. He cited documents like the Uganda Constitution and the Land Act, among others.
“They will make your work easy,” he said.
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