Haji Kakande, Indian commissioner host RDCs to luncheon after training

__________________

High Commissioner of India to Uganda Upender Singh Rawat has welcomed a team of 40 Resident District/City Commissioners (RCCs), Deputy RDCs and Assistant RDCs back to Uganda. 

The RDCs, who went for a two-week entrepreneurship and promotion of livelihood generation activities training at the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) in Noida city, India, came back to Uganda on October 2, 2025.

High Commissioner of India to Uganda Upender Singh Rawat and Secretary Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakandehas, interacting during the occasion. (Courtesy photo)

“I'm sure that this training will help you in your work,” he said. 

Upender made the remarks on Friday, October 3, while hosting the group of RDC participants for a luncheon at Jikoni Restaurant in Kampala. 

The Commissioner also assured the Government of Uganda that the government of India will continue giving out such opportunities to Ugandan government officials. 

“This is not the end of the story, before the end of this year, we shall offer another opportunity to other RDCs,” he said. “We also offer 25 scholarships to vast Ugandans each year,” he said.

The Secretary Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, thanked Upender for the technical assistance given to the Uganda government. 

“By the Indian government allowing you RDCs and RCCs to go and get training from there to get hands-on skills cannot be taken for granted,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the RDCs’ journey to India was enriching, productive and filled with learning that will significantly enhance their professional duties as well as the socio-economic transformation of their communities’ back home. 

“I commend your commitment in engaging with such a comprehensive and impactful program that touched critical areas,” Kakande said.

“I believe that your visit to India, including the cultural excursions and field visits such as to the Dawar Leather Factory, Prime Ministers Museum, Lotus Temple and the Taj Mahal, not only broadened your horizons but strengthened cross-cultural and institutional linkages; hallmarks of modern leadership in a globalised world.”

Hajji Kakande also advised that the Back Home Action Plans developed by the commissioners while in India should be translated into tangible outcomes by supporting government programs such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, Youth Livelihood program etc.

So far, India has given 60 RDCs/RCCs a training opportunity in the Asian country. 

Special Presidential Assistant on Diaspora Issues Florence Kiremerwa, who has been instrumental in technical guidance throughout the RDC education engagement, thanked the government of India for supporting the government of Uganda by offering a training opportunity for the RDCs.

Sr Mary Grace Akiror, the deputy head of the RDC Secretariat and leader of the delegation to India, welcomed the RDCs back to Uganda. (Courtesy photo)

“I request you, the RDCs, to put what you have learnt into your communities so that our people can benefit,” she said. "I also propose that RDCs who can't implement what they have attained in India, the government should think of laying them off in the next Kisanja, she retreated. Further, she noted that the government has put in more efforts, including networking, which should culminate in tangible results at all costs.

Sr Mary Grace Akiror, the deputy head of the RDC Secretariat and leader of the delegation to India, welcomed the RDCs back to Uganda. 

In a special way, she thanked the Ambassador for giving a training opportunity to the commissioners. 

“I also thank the Office of the President under the Stewardship of Hajji Kakande for giving me the opportunity to lead this delegation. We also thank Madam Florence for her role in this program,”she said. 

“The hospitality in India cannot be measured. We were received very well and everything was smoothly done.”

Sr. Akiror further tasked the participants to be good ambassadors for the program to ensure continuity. 

“We agreed that what we learnt from India will not remain in India but shall also be executed here.”