“Don’t wait for Ministers to come to your areas and start reacting,” Hajji Kakande cautions RDCs

The Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, has urged Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and other public servants to take a proactive approach to monitoring government programmes, warning them against waiting for problems to escalate before taking action.

Hajji Kakande said RDCs have been entrusted by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni with significant responsibilities including monitoring government programmes and projects and should ensure that public resources are properly utilised and services reach their intended beneficiaries.

“Please, when you are carrying out this role of inspection, don’t leave any stone unturned. Don’t wait for Ministers to first come to your areas and you start reacting. Be proactive,” Hajji Kakande said.

He was speaking on September 28, 2026, while officiating at the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop for RDCs/RCCs, Deputy RDCs/RCCs, Assistant RDCs/RCCs, Regional Internal Security Officer (RISO) and District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) from the Greater Masaka sub-region.

The workshop is being held at Solo Hites Hotel in Masaka City.

Hajji Kakande told the participants that the current government term requires greater focus, accountability and results, urging them to avoid superficial reporting and ensure emerging problems are identified and addressed before they develop into crises.

“This kisanja is hakuna muchezo. There is no room for superficial reporting or shoddy work. Don’t wait for a problem to first become a crisis before reporting it,” he said.

“The people of Greater Masaka need government institutions that work, protect government resources and ensure effective service delivery. Ensure that every programme that reaches Greater Masaka is monitored and produces tangible results.”

His remarks come amid heightened government efforts to combat corruption and improve service delivery, with Minister for Local Government,Hon. Balaam Barugahara undertaking an anti-corruption campaign across the country.

Political season is over:

Hajji Kakande also commended RDCs and security officers for their role during the recent elections, which enabled President Museveni and other NRM flag bearers to emerge victorious.

“Thank you very much for that. You have to engage in politics. You can’t avoid it, especially when you are representing the Head of State, Chairman of the NRM and Commander-in-Chief,” he said.

However, Hajji Kakande said the political season had now ended and urged the commissioners to shift their focus to service delivery, development, peace and socio-economic transformation.

“Now the political season has gone. You must concentrate on service delivery, development, peace and socio-economic transformation,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of the Office of the President’s representatives in maintaining peace and ensuring effective implementation of government programmes at the district level.

RDCs cautioned against distributing PDM funds:

On the Parish Development Model (PDM), Hajji Kakande cautioned RDCs against directly distributing funds, saying their role is to monitor the process and ensure that resources reach the intended beneficiaries.

“Don’t engage in distributing this money. Just monitor how it is being distributed. Where the Government has put resources, ensure that they reach the intended people,” he said.

“Fight corruption, but investigate allegations”

Hajji Kakande tasked the commissioners with taking a firm stand against corruption while cautioning them against making accusations based on rumours or unverified information.

“Every day, we get cases of corruption. Fight against it. You should not become part of the corruption problem; you should be the solution,” he said.

He urged the commissioners to investigate allegations professionally before taking action in order to protect individuals from having their reputations damaged by unsubstantiated claims.

“Where you detect corruption, don’t look on. At the same time, accusations must be dealt with professionally. Do not taint the reputation of someone on mere rumours. First investigate,” Hajji Kakande said.

Agriculture, youth employment and land conflicts:

Hajji Kakande also challenged the commissioners to support efforts to increase agricultural productivity, particularly by encouraging farmers to embrace modern farming methods such as irrigation.

He said irrigation was particularly important during dry seasons and could help improve agricultural productivity and household incomes.

On the challenge of youth unemployment, Hajji Kakande urged RDCs to work with local governments to ensure young people acquire practical skills in areas such as agriculture and value addition, tourism, information and communication technology (ICT) and other sectors with employment opportunities.

“Make sure that these young people in your areas get skills,” he said.

He further tasked RDCs and security officers with strengthening the early identification and management of land conflicts, urging them to handle disputes fairly and without bias.

“Arbitrate fairly so that you remain with your dignity in the district. Handle these land issues without bias and you will always succeed,” Hajji Kakande said.

He cautioned security agencies against irresponsible use of security structures, saying they should be deployed appropriately to prevent public disorder, violence and instability.

He also tasked the participants with safeguarding government land until it can be developed.

RDCs warned against indiscipline:

Hajji Kakande warned against indiscipline among officials in the Office of the President, urging RDCs to maintain professionalism and work harmoniously with other district leaders.

“Indiscipline will not be allowed in the Office of the President. Maintain professionalism. There is no need for an RDC to fight with the LCV chairman. Where there is a problem, iron it out amicably,” he said.

“We expect you to be at peace with other leaders in the district. That is how areas develop.”

Workshop to strengthen RDCs’ capacity:

The Head of the RDC Secretariat, Maj. Martha Asiimwe, said the three-day workshop was organised to enhance the capacity of RDCs, RCCs, their deputies and assistants to effectively execute their constitutional and administrative responsibilities.

She said the workshop would provide an opportunity for the commissioners to review their performance, strengthen leadership and teamwork, and improve oversight of government programmes.

“The workshop helps to strengthen personal growth, ethics and improve your performance to make sure what you have been assigned to do is done,” Maj. Asiimwe said.

She also noted that the training was intended to strengthen the capacity of the commissioners to support the Commander-in-Chief’s agenda of socio-economic transformation.