Three-day retreat for commissioners ends with call for improved program implementation.
The three-day retreat for Resident District Commissioners and Resident City Commissioners culminated today at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja, with a strong call for enhanced implementation of government programs across all regions.
Presided over by the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda, through her representative, the Under Secretary Emmanuel Walali, the retreat emphasised the critical role of RDCs in monitoring key government initiatives. Officials were specifically directed to intensify oversight of the Parish Development Model, ensure compliance with Universal Education policies, monitor healthcare service delivery, and accelerate poverty alleviation programs.
During the closing sessions, Walali reminded commissioners of their dual responsibility as both administrative leaders and presidential representatives, stressing that visible results in service delivery remain their primary performance indicator. The retreat placed particular emphasis on forging strategic partnerships with religious leaders, cultural institutions, and local governments to strengthen community mobilisation efforts.
Political mobilisation formed a significant part of discussions, with NRM stalwart Hon. Daudi Migereko outlining strategies for commissioners to effectively support government programs while maintaining their administrative neutrality. His presentation focused on balancing development objectives with the upcoming electoral cycle.
Richard Gulume Balyaino, the Busoga Regional RDC, expressed confidence that the retreat had equipped commissioners with renewed capacity to execute their supervisory duties. He highlighted the importance of the newly developed action plans and performance tracking systems that commissioners will implement upon returning to their stations.
The Jinja retreat marks a critical moment in Uganda's governance framework as RDCs prepare to play an increasingly visible role in both service delivery monitoring and the broader political mobilisation ahead of the 2026 general elections. With standardised monitoring tools and clear performance indicators now in place, commissioners return to their districts with a strengthened mandate to drive the government's development agenda while maintaining administrative integrity.
