Alum urges RDCs to monitor government programmes until results are achieved

The Minister of State for Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President, Hon. Santa Sandra Alum Ogwang, has challenged Resident District Commissioners and security officials in Greater Masaka to strengthen monitoring, accountability and follow-up of government programmes.

Minister Alum made the call while closing a three-day workshop for RDCs, Deputy RDCs, Assistant RDCs, Regional Internal Security Officers and District Internal Security Officers from the Greater Masaka Subregion at Solo Hites Hotel in Masaka City.

She was representing the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda.

Minister Alum said the success of the workshop should not be measured by speeches and discussions held during the three days, but by the actions participants take after returning to their stations.

She urged RDCs and security officials to identify problems early, mobilise relevant institutions and follow up interventions until clear and satisfactory outcomes are achieved.

The Minister emphasised that government programmes should not remain on paper, calling on officials to establish whether intended beneficiaries are actually receiving services and whether public resources are producing the desired results.

“The real test of our success begins tomorrow morning. The people of Greater Masaka will not measure this workshop by the speeches delivered here. They will measure it by what they experience when they return to their communities.”

Minister Alum further called for improvement in the quality of government reports, saying reports should clearly indicate what was found, where and when it was found, the evidence supporting the findings, the responsible institution and the action required.

She cautioned officials against producing lengthy reports that provide little useful information, stressing that professional reporting must be based on clarity, accuracy and analysis.

She also called for stronger coordination between RDCs, elected leaders, technical officers and security agencies, noting that different government institutions have different mandates, but these responsibilities should complement rather than undermine one another.

She urged RDCs to work professionally with elected leaders while maintaining the integrity of their offices, and to use appropriate institutional channels whenever disagreements arise.

“The people of Uganda are not interested in institutional rivalry. They want government to work.”

The Minister also urged RDC structures to closely monitor the performance of local governments without taking over the responsibilities of technical officers. She said where public officers fail to perform, the matter should be properly documented and addressed through the relevant structures.

On security, Alum called for professional, lawful and evidence-based interventions, urging officials to assess information carefully before taking action and to respect the rights and dignity of citizens.

She noted that peace and security are closely connected to development, saying unresolved land conflicts, unemployment, poverty, misinformation and poor service delivery can create vulnerabilities within communities.

She said Greater Masaka has significant agricultural and commercial potential but continues to face challenges including household poverty, youth unemployment, land-related conflicts, urban pressures, environmental concerns and gaps in service delivery, which require coordinated leadership involving RDCs, local governments, security agencies, technical officers and community leaders.

Alum encouraged officials to maintain effective channels through which citizens can raise complaints and provide feedback on government services, adding that complaints should be handled objectively and referred to the appropriate institutions for action.

She urged participants to return to their stations with renewed determination, professional discipline and a commitment to measurable results, saying she expects to see better-quality reports, greater field presence, stronger institutional coordination, closer monitoring of government programmes and public assets, improved early-warning systems and more effective conflict prevention across Greater Masaka.

The workshop brought together administrative, security and coordination officials from the Greater Masaka Subregion from 28th to 30th September 2026 at Solo Hites Hotel in Masaka City.