By: Ismael Kasooha
KYANKWANZI
The prime minister has asked leaders in the country to be role models in wealth creation for socio-economic transformation.
“As leaders we should be examples to the people we lead by engaging in wealth creation activities so that our subjects can emulate us. There is no way you can tell a person to do farming when you are doing other things,” said Nabbanja.
Nabbanja said that leaders have not played their roles to empower the people they lead in wealth creation, especially by being role models in improving household incomes.
She said that Uganda, although gifted by nature, continues to have poor people because as leaders we have not helped to open their eyes to understand the opportunities available for them.
“Uganda is the only country where you can grow crops with minimal costs but our people still remain poor in spite of the conducive environment we enjoy,” noted Nabbanja.
The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja addressing Local Government leaders at the National Leadership Training Institute in Kyankwanzi
Nabbanja made the remarks while presiding over the official opening of a two-week leadership transformation training for leaders in selected districts at the National leadership training Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi District and Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership and Pan African center of excellence Kaweweta in Nakaseke District.
The training is running under the theme “Enhancing Leaders’ Capacities in monitoring government Programmes to improve service delivery”.
She said that the government has embarked on a countrywide sensitization campaign to help leaders perform better on their oversight role.
Nabbanja said that this training was sanctioned by President Yoweri Museveni to help the country in socio-economic transformation.
Janefer Namuyangu, the Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs while presenting a paper entitled the role of Local Governments in the implementation of government programmes asked local leaders to set targets for civil servants for efficiency in service delivery.
“You are supposed to do regular monitoring of the progress and quality of service delivery programs, Overseeing the execution of government programs, ensuring that they are implemented according to the set plans and within the stipulated timelines,” said Namuyangu.
She said that local leaders should be Identifying and addressing issues or challenges in the implementation of government programs, ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and for their intended purposes.
“It is your role to Monitor the performance of Local Government staff and contractors involved in program delivery and Providing regular reports to higher authorities and the community on the progress and challenges of program implementation,” Namuyangu noted.
Huda Oleru Abason, the Minister of State for Defense in charge of Veterans, hailed the initiative of empowering leaders in their roles.
“We thank the President for this initiative that will help our local leaders to perform better and become patriotic,” said Oleru.
Members of Parliament from the districts that are attending the training said that the local leaders are key in mobilizing the people and if they are organized then society will develop.
The Deputy Commandant NALI Col. Henry Serugo said they are taking trainees through several ideological presentations for mindset change and transformation.
The leaders camped at NALI have been drawn from the Districts of Kiboga, Masaka, Yumbe, Kibuku and Kibaale while those at Kaweweta for the same course are from the Districts of Nakasongola, Gomba, Mbarara, Kalungu and Mbarara City.
The 11-day course that is expected to end on Saturday 7th September 2024 is organized by the Office of the Prime Minister in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and the Patriotism Secretariat.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to preside over the closure at NALI where all the trainees will converge.
The course has attracted over 1000 leaders from ten districts camped at the National Leadership Training Institute & Oliva Tambo training School Kaweweta respectively.
Local leaders’ voices
Asiku Kasimu, the Speaker of Yumbe District Council, said that such training has been long overdue because the knowledge being imparted in the leaders is crucial for better service delivery.
Batemyetto Lukyamuzi Andrew the LC V Chairperson Masaka said that some people were discouraging them from attending such training hoodwinking them that they are meant for NRM carders only yet the content is nationalistic and meant to improve the livelihoods of the people. It is a relevant course that should be attended by all leaders without considering their political affiliations.
Jackie Niyonsaba the Kiboga District Vice Chairperson thanked the government for such impactful training and is optimistic that they will perform better in their roles when they go back to their respective districts.
Godfrey Kasanga Muwonge the LC V Chairperson Kibaale District said that the training is helping them to get all people on board especially in monitoring Government programmes.
END
