Summary:
Minister Babalanda emphasized her firm stance against corruption, stating, “For as long as I oversee the Presidency, corrupt officials will face the full force of the law like any other Ugandan.”
KABALE: The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has reaffirmed her commitment to eliminating corruption, urging Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in Kigezi Sub region to play a crucial role in this fight within their respective districts.
“As the Office of the President, we champion a corruption-free country. We do not tolerate corrupt staff. If you are caught engaging in corruption, no one will defend you. Some of you seek political protection after being implicated, but this is a futile effort,” she warned.
Minister Babalanda made these remarks at the opening of a three-day regional capacity-building workshop for RDCs, Deputy RDCs, Assistant RDCs, DISOs, and RISOs in Kigezi Sub-region, held at Cepha’s Inn, Kabale Municipality on Wednesday.
Minister Babalanda emphasized her firm stance against corruption, stating, “For as long as I oversee the Presidency, corrupt officials will face the full force of the law like any other Ugandan.”
She urged RDCs to learn from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who consistently references the Constitution in his decisions.
“Despite his authority, the President adheres to the law. As his immediate supervisor, I hold the mandate to discipline lazy and corrupt RDCs,” she stated.
Minister Babalanda also called upon RDCs to heed their supervisors’ guidance to make well-informed decisions.
“RDCs receive directives from the President, the Minister for the Presidency, the Secretary of the Office of the President, and the Head of the RDC Secretariat,” she noted.
She commended some RDCs for implementing advice and adjusting their work environments to promote accountability, teamwork, and strong working relationships.
Minister Babalanda urged RDCs to remain vigilant about security, particularly in border districts, given the ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“Criminals may be entering the country, posing significant security risks. RDCs and DISOs must collaborate and devise strategies to secure their regions,” she emphasized.
She also encouraged teamwork among officials, stating, “Your collective success benefits everyone.”
Minister Babalanda reaffirmed that President Museveni will stand for re-election in the upcoming general elections.
“As you carry out your duties of auditing, monitoring, and supervising government programs, keep this in mind,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to the people of Kigezi for hosting the President during his recent tour of the PDM performance in the region.
“This visit was a success. I commend the RDC and DISO offices for their excellent work. As the Presidency, we observed no anomalies,” she noted.
She urged officials in Ankole to prepare thoroughly for the President’s upcoming visit.
“If you pay close attention, the President provides invaluable advice. As chief mobilizers in your districts, following our guidance will help you manage these visits effectively,” she advised.
Maj. Martha Asiimwe, Head of the RDC Secretariat, praised Hon. Babalanda for securing resources to enhance the capacity of RDCs.
“With this ongoing support, our field officers will improve service delivery significantly,” she remarked.
She highlighted that the workshop aims to refocus RDCs on their core mandates—supervision, monitoring, and representing the Central Government and the President.
“We equip RDCs and DISOs with necessary skills and tools to enhance their performance in their respective areas,” she said.
Deputy Head of the RDC Secretariat, Sr. Grace Akiror, emphasized the importance of self-evaluation among RDCs. “Ask yourself: Am I up to the task? If not, what should I do to prove my worth? We are here to assess ourselves and improve,” she urged.
Felix Olum, Assistant Commissioner for Monitoring and Evaluation in the Office of the President, briefed participants on monitoring and evaluation of government programs and service delivery.
He noted that Uganda ranks 127th out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s Global M&E Index (2022), highlighting the need for improvement.
“Monitoring helps track the progress of ongoing projects, comparing actual performance with expected outcomes. It ensures projects remain on course and identifies issues that might hinder success,” Olum explained.
He emphasized that RDCs play a key role in monitoring government services at both central and local levels.
He also defined evaluation as an assessment of government interventions in terms of relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.
Kabale RDC, Godfrey Nyakahuma, thanked Hon. Babalanda for enhancing the efficiency of RDC offices through regular training workshops and virtual meetings.
“Minister, I also appreciate your efforts in decentralizing the Presidency, empowering regional commissioners to improve service delivery,” he said.
