The Office of the President has appealed to Parliament to approve a budget request to a tune of Shs10bn for the construction of offices for Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) across the country.
While appearing before Parliament’s Presidential Affairs Committee, Sadat Kisuyi, Principal Economist Office of President said that the rate at which Government is constructing offices isn’t sustainable and is likely to take government 120years to construct houses for all RDCs.
The Office of Presidency therefore needs Shs10bn in 2022/2023 to construct offices for RDCs, but the funding hasn’t been provided for in the coming budget.
Jesca Ababiku, Chairperson Presidential Affairs Committee urged the Ministry of Finance to find resources for the acquisition of office space for RDCs.
“I strongly believe that the RDC Secretariat is well facilitated, they would be moving to the districts where there are issues instead of MPs bringing their issues to Parliament,” Ababiku said.
Peter Ogwang, Minister of State for Economic Monitoring acknowledged challenges in the conduct of RDC, but said there are efforts to build their capacity, noting, “It is true we know it and we are working on building capacity of RDCs because the work I am doing is meant to be their work.”
Derrick Nyeko (Makindye East) however protested funding to RDCs, saying it isn’t urgent at the moment because the mandate for RDCs isn’t streamlined like is the case for other civil servants, where the law is clear on who they report to, but there is no clarity on who RDCs can hold accountable.
“We believe the RDCs office need to be scrapped off. RDCs aren’t doing government roles in whatever capacity they are deployed. RDCs are being meant to moblise for NRM and we strongly believe RDCs must be paid under the NRM Party. We have seen on many incidences where RDCs are sent to stop opposition from accessing radio stations or setting up meetings,” said Nyeko.
The Office of the Presidency also wants Shs12.2Bn to facilitate RDCs who are 146 in number, but of these, 107 are renting office space.
