By THE INDEPENDENT UG
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In the Central Region of Uganda, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Intelligence Officers have been urged to intensify efforts to increase the number of votes for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the upcoming 2026 elections. The call came from Hajji Yunus Kakande, the Permanent Secretary in the office of the President. Kakande acknowledged the challenge faced by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the Central Region, where there is a significant youth population that needs to be mobilized.
Speaking at a Capacity Building Workshop for RDCs, Resident City Commissioners, their Deputies, District Internal Security Officers, and Regional Internal Security Officers in Mukono, Kakande emphasized the importance of engaging with the youth, reorienting them, and emphasizing the development initiatives steered by the ruling government. He encouraged the officials to talk to the youth, who tend to support the opposition, and orient them about the government’s development efforts.
Kakande shared his experience during the 2021 elections, where he noticed a majority of youth in the queue. He stressed the need for RDCs to identify gaps in government programs and ensure timely service delivery. The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the longer the NRM government stays in power, especially with Museveni, the better it is for the country. He urged the officials to sensitize the public about government programs such as the Parish Development Model and the progress on the implementation of the NRM Manifesto.
However, the message to RDCs and Intelligence Officers has raised concerns about the line between public service and political activities. The expectation is that these officials serve the state and the public, not engage in partisan politics or work towards a specific political outcome.
Former Vice President Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, who made a presentation on Population Health and Wellness during the workshop, advised RDCs to understand their roles, respect one another, and communicate effectively with the public. She also touched on personal well-being, suggesting that men should avoid polygamy for better mental health and longevity.
The call to RDCs to actively influence political outcomes raises questions about the neutrality and professionalism of public officials and the appropriate boundaries between political activities and public service.
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