RDC Secretariat calls for more barazas to boost uptake of govt programmes
Akiror said many Government programmes and services were not achieving their intended impact because some residents were either unaware of them or lacked adequate information on how to access and benefit from them.
The deputy head of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Secretariat, Dr Sr Mary Grace Akiror, speaking during community engagement at Banda Secondary School. (Photos by Betty Angatai)
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The deputy head of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Secretariat, Dr Sr Mary Grace Akiror, has urged local governments to regularly organise community barazas to improve citizens' access to and utilisation of Government services and programmes.
Akiror said many Government programmes and services were not achieving their intended impact because some residents were either unaware of them or lacked adequate information on how to access and benefit from them.
She made the remarks during a community engagement meeting held on September 8, 2026, at Banda Secondary School in Banda subcounty, Namayingo district. The meeting was organised by her RDC Secretariat to strengthen accountability, citizen participation and service delivery.
She said community barazas provide an important platform for Government officials to explain programmes to citizens, listen to their concerns and obtain feedback on service delivery.
“Most residents are not involved and, in some cases, are not aware of government programs and services available to them. This is largely because of a lack of information,” Akiror said.
She urged districts to use barazas to bridge the information gap between Government and communities, saying citizens can only effectively participate in development programmes when they understand them.
Erisania Mayende, the Acting Namayingo DEO, is addressing the community
Akiror also encouraged local leaders and technical officers to use community engagement meetings to explain Government priorities, eligibility requirements and available opportunities while addressing misinformation that may discourage people from accessing services.
She said regular interaction between citizens and Government officials would strengthen accountability, transparency and community participation in service delivery.
“Let us take the government closer to the people. When communities understand government programs, they are more likely to participate, demand accountability and utilise the services provided,” she said.
She said citizens should be given an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the quality of services delivered in their communities.
She called on local leaders to ensure that women, youth, persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups are given an opportunity to participate in the barazas and voice their concerns.
“Government programs are intended to improve people’s livelihoods and access to essential services, but their success depends largely on citizens’ awareness and participation,” Akiror said.
The call comes at a time when the Government is emphasising citizen participation, accountability and effective utilisation of public programmes at community level.
She warned officials against mismanaging the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying anyone who plays with the programme is playing with fire.
PDM is a key Government strategy aimed at transforming households from subsistence to the money economy by supporting communities to engage in productive enterprises and improve their household incomes.
“Whoever is playing with PDM is playing with fire. This is a government initiative intended to t change the lives of our people, and we must ensure that the resources reach the intended beneficiaries,” Akiror said.
She also cautioned beneficiaries against treating PDM funds as free handouts, urging them to use the money for the intended income-generating activities and ensure that the funds revolve within the community.
During the engagement, Ronald Sanya, the district chairperson, raised concerns over the increasing cases of land conflicts and called on the RDC Secretariat to intervene and support efforts to address the problem.
Sanya said land-related conflicts were increasingly affecting communities, threatening livelihoods and creating tensions among residents.