Babirye Milly Babalanda, the Minister for the Presidency, has issued a stern warning to Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Resident City Commissioners (RCCs), their deputies, assistants, and intelligence officers from the Rwenzori sub-region, telling them to shun corruption and focus on improving service delivery.
She was speaking on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, at Kalya Courts Hotel in Fort Portal City during the closing ceremony of a three-day retreat that began on September 29.
The Minister made it clear that corruption is a cancer that undermines public trust, stalls development, and tarnishes the image of government institutions.
“As district leaders, you should take the lead in championing a corrupt-free country,” she said.
“Some of you, after involving yourselves in corrupt practices, you rush to politicians thinking they will protect you. That practice will not be entertained.”
Babalanda reminded the officials that their mandate is enshrined in Article 203 of the Constitution, which requires them to monitor government programmes and projects.
She stressed that the monthly reports submitted by RDCs are critical for accountability, assessment, and planning.
“If you don’t submit these reports, you deny both yourself and your area key interventions,” the Minister said.
“We rely on them to assess your performance and to inform ministries and agencies on where to intervene.”
She commended those who consistently submit their reports on time, noting that compliance demonstrates discipline and commitment to public service.
Turning to security matters, Babalanda emphasized the strategic importance of the Rwenzori sub-region, which shares borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
She reminded RDCs and DISOs that their role as chairpersons of district security committees must not be taken lightly.
“There could be criminals entering the country who may pose a danger to our security,” she warned.
“I urge you to strongly team up and map strategies for securing your areas.”
She added that intelligence gathered by officers must be acted upon without delay, warning that hesitation could open gaps for insecurity to flourish.
With the political season already in motion, the Minister urged commissioners to resist being manipulated by opportunistic politicians who seek personal gain.
“You are not supervised by politicians and neither do you take orders from them,” she said firmly.
She explained that succumbing to political pressure would only lead them into costly mistakes that could compromise their credibility and effectiveness.
Babalanda further noted that President Yoweri Museveni, who was nominated on September 23 as the NRM’s flagbearer for the 2026–2031 elections, relies on the commissioners’ mobilization to consolidate support in the region.
She therefore encouraged them to engage the public by amplifying government achievements that reflect the ruling party’s track record.
“You should not keep silent when people are denied services,” she stressed.
“You have the information the public needs. Share it widely.”
She called on them to use the media, particularly community radio, to reach a broader audience with accurate and timely information.
The Minister also reminded the RDCs of the 2013 presidential directive requiring that all government projects be commissioned by RDCs, warning that failure to comply would no longer be tolerated.
She cautioned the officers against misuse of office, corruption, and partiality, urging them to adopt teamwork, integrity, and accountability in their work.
“I thank those of you who are listening to our continuous advice and have adjusted your working environments to allow for accountable decision-making and cordial relationships,” Babalanda said in conclusion.
The retreat, which brought together commissioners and intelligence officers from across the Rwenzori sub-region, ended with renewed commitments to strengthen service delivery, protect public resources, and safeguard peace in a region historically vulnerable to cross-border threats.
