It has been recommended that the Karamoja subregion’s Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) take on the role of super agents in carrying out government development initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM).

The call was part of a message from Senior Presidential Advisor In-Charge of Mobilization-RDC Secretariat, Lt. Col. Kibrai Ambako, to RDCS/RCCS, their deputies, RISOs, and DISOs from the Karamoja subregion. The message was sent by Secretary of the Office of the President Hajji Yunus Kakande. The venue for the event was Soroti City’s Akello Hotel.

To raise people’s living standards, the government has also created and executed a number of anti-poverty projects. PDM, the most recent effort, focuses mostly on financial inclusion. In a statement that Lt. Col. Ambako read on his behalf, Hajji Kakande stated, “I think that all of your districts have received the PDM funds.”

“I implore you to carry out the other government projects and this program like super agents. The government has made significant resource commitments to help lift individuals out of poverty. I implore you to keep the money safe from dishonest officials.All of the Parishes should receive the funds meant for their beneficiaries. I beg you to band together and see to it that those responsible for any corruption or sabotage are held accountable. The idea that the government hasn’t done enough for its citizens needs to be dispelled.

Additionally, he requested that the commissioners make sure the government provides the people of Karamoja with prompt and effective services.

“It is your basic duty as leaders to see to it that all government projects and programs are carried out under your supervision in your districts.”

According to Hajji Kakande, Karamoja is among the world’s poorest regions because of its high rates of malnutrition and disproportionately high percentage of the population living in poverty. Thus, he gave the commissioners the responsibility of making sure that nobody is left behind in the area.

“To ensure that government services are having a good effect on the communities, it is necessary to evaluate government investments in health, education, economic opportunity, and governance. Nonetheless, for socio-economic development to occur, the public and commercial sectors, as well as development partners and beneficiary communities, must operate with unity, vision, and competent leadership.

Regarding maintaining peace in the subregion, Hajji Kakande suggested that the District Security Committees, led by the RDCs/RCCs, convene frequently to evaluate and furnish a daily situational update on the security conditions across Karamoja’s several districts.

He said, “Decades of interethnic violent conflicts centered on cattle rustling and competition for access and control of natural resources, especially water and pasture, have plagued the region of Karamoja.”

“In this region, peace should indeed reign.”

Hajji Kakande further advised the commissioners to concentrate their efforts on tackling the issue of food insecurity in the area.

Therefore, I implore you to treat the matter of environmental protection seriously. The overuse of our natural resources is exacerbating environmental degradation, decreasing ecosystem services, and increasing the likelihood of catastrophic disasters. Decreased environmental services also have a role in poverty.

Hajji Kakande further reaffirmed that the Office of the President is prepared to give the commissioners all the political and technical leadership they need to guarantee that government projects and programs are implemented properly.

“I implore you to have open, sincere, and candid conversations that will solidify your position in the company.”

The Regional Capacity Building Workshops for RDCs/RCCs, deputies, and DISOs, according to Maj. Martha Asiimwe, Head of the RDC Secretariat, are intended to remind commissioners and DISOs of their primary responsibilities, which include supervision, monitoring, mobilization, and effective representation of the Central Government and H.E. the President.

She went on to say that they also aim to give the participants better tools and abilities to improve their performance in their local cities and districts.

Maj. Asiimwe, who serves as the point of contact for PDM and Emyooga programs, added, “The workshops are also aimed at refocusing the commissioners and DISOs to critical and prioritized government programs and projects where they should lead to achieve set objectives and ultimate goals.”

“The workshops also assist the commissioners in communicating to their supervisors the difficulties impacting their field operations,” the spokesperson continued.

In contrast, Prof. Nangoli Sudi, Managing Director of Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC), gave a talk to the attendees about how to effectively monitor and evaluate government projects and programs.

He stated that as the government has made significant investments in infrastructure development to guarantee the welfare of its residents, RDCs had to make every effort to guarantee that the projects being carried out offer value for the money.

Prof. Sudi also advised the commissioners to address the issues of conflicting interests, misplaced priorities, and ineptitude before they can monitor and assess government initiatives successfully.

He went on, “You cannot work alone while monitoring these activities; you need a team.”

The commissioners were advised by the former Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Hon. Daudi Migereko, that they are the President’s representatives in their respective spheres of influence and that they ought to convey to the public that they are capable of carrying out their mandate and any additional tasks delegated to them by their superior.

“You should instill in people the belief that, even in the absence of the fountain of honor, you can handle their difficulties when they come to you. The way you show yourself is crucial at every level of your business; your attire and communication style are crucial in the mobilization process, according to Hon. Migereko.

“Make the most of the opinions that people have of you. The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) chair said, “If you have a positive perception, it’s good for the government; if you have a negative perception, then the government is in trouble.”

Hon. Migereko added that encouraging moral and competent leadership in society requires mobilization.

“The most crucial instrument for mobilization is peace and security; without these, neither mobilization nor local economic development can occur.”

He also reminded the commissioners that they needed to have certain important documents in their possession, like the NRM Manifesto, Local Government Act, the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, and NDPIII, among others, if they were to be able to properly mobilize societies.

Commissioners from the RDC Secretariat and representatives of the President’s Office also attended the training.