RDCs cited in fueling land evictions in Bunyoro

HOIMA - Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in Bunyoro sub-region have been warned against aiding land grabbers. 

Hajji Yunusu Kakande, the secretary in the Office of the President,  cautioned that RDCs should stop what he termed as "conniving with investors and land grabbers to forcefully effect evictions."

Kakande issued the warning while opening a three-day capacity building workshop for the RDCs, Resident City Commissioners (RCCs), their deputies, Resident Internal Security Organisation (RISOs) and District Internal Security Organisation (DISOs) from Bunyoro sub-region on Tuesday in Hoima City.

Kakande said that in the Bunyoro sub-region, particularly in the districts of Kikuube, Kiryandongo, Hoima and Buliisa, several families had been forcefully evicted by land grabbers in the presence of the RDCs.

He wondered why land evictions should be sanctioned in the presence of the RDCs, who are supposed to prevent residents from being evicted from their ancestral land. Kakande warned the RDCs to ensure that no other evictions take place in the region.

“We have seen many people being evicted from their lands in Bunyoro sub-region. RDCs should help people from losing their land, they should help people to solve land problems,” Kakande said.

He warned the RDCs to desist from being judges in land-related matters but advised them to mediate land cases and forward the matters to the courts if arbitration fails at their level.

Kakande also expressed concern over the poor working relationship between most RDCs and lower local government officials and equally cautioned them against absconding from duty.

“Work together and stop undermining each other. Respect is very important, RDCs should stop engaging in cases of indiscipline because that undermines their offices and that of the president,” Kakande said.

Kakande further urged the RDCs and other security agencies in the region to tighten their security surveillance network along the Uganda-DRC border points to combat any wrong elements from penetrating the country through Lake Albert waters to cause havoc in the country, especially during this election period.

He said Congo has various militia groups, especially in the Eastern part, who could easily sneak into the country through the various porous border points if the security surveillance network is not well managed.

He said the RDCs should also promote security and stability in their respective districts and work closely with security agencies to address any security threats that may arise.

Kakande said that the President's representatives have the authority to hold district local government leaders accountable for the funds allocated for projects. (Credit: Wilson Asiimwe)

He stated that the safety and well-being of Ugandans are paramount, and it is their collective job as leaders to guarantee that residents feel safe and protected.

Kakande also tasked the RDCs to ensure that they manage all government programs and ensure that they are a success, to ensure quality government service delivery to the people.

He said that the RDCs should be very strict and monitor government projects, ensure that no substandard work is done and ensure value for money in all government projects being undertaken in their area.

Kakande also tasked them to be at the forefront of fighting corruption and inefficiency, which is affecting service delivery.

“You should also work to combat corruption and ensure that government resources are used efficiently and effectively. Also, encourage, supervise, monitor and account for the construction of critical government infrastructure such as schools, health facilities, roads, among others and ensure that no shoddy works are executed," said Kakande.

Kakande said that the President's representatives have the authority to hold district local government leaders accountable for the funds allocated for projects.

According to Kakande, many funded government projects remain ineffective despite being under the supervision of the RDCs, their deputies, DISOs, and Assistant RDCs.

“You must make sure that you depict that importance in the district by doing good work in the district, monitoring, government projects, making sure that every project that was funded is running, but when you are there, as RDCs DISOs, this should not happen; someone responsible for making a government program a white elephant must pay for it.”

He said that commissioners whose jurisdiction the project is in should explain why it was not completed, especially if funds were provided and the project had already started.

Kakande added that those responsible for overseeing the project must face the consequences for their failure.  

Lt Col. Kimbrai Ambako, the senior presidential advisor on mobilisation, said that RDCs who are not up to the task should resign since they are not offering services to the people.

Ambako said that RDCs should strengthen their monitoring mechanism and must ensure that all government workers are present at their duty stations. 

According to Ambako, the training is aimed at equipping the RDCs with managerial skills to ensure that service delivery programmes are adequately monitored and implemented.

Godwin Angalia, the RDC for Kikuube district, asked the office of the president to intervene and open the boundaries of Bugoma Forest so that Hoima Sugar Company can stop disturbing residents.

“We have a very big challenge in Kikuube; we need help so that our people can settle. Hoima sugar, which leases some parts of the forests, is disturbing the communities,” Angalia said.