How To Become RDC In Uganda
The RDC assists its LGU members, when so requested, in the preparation of local development plans, local investment programs, and in the preparation of program/project proposals for possible official development assistance.
Over the years RDC have taken on meditating in disputes among . are being undertaken is not only a prerequisite for improving service .
A recent High court suit challenging the qualifications of Rukungiri deputy resident district commissioner (RDC) Harriet Nakamya is threatening to put more RDCs in trouble.
The Observer has learnt that opposition lawmakers announced they were working on another petition to pin what they call “unqualified RDCs.”
Article 203 of the Constitution and Section 70 of the Local Government Act (as amended in 2010) set A-level or its equivalent as the minimum academic requirement for one to be appointed as RDC, but many are said to have questionable academic papers.
“Appointments of RDCs are essentially political rewards to regime cronies but in particular to those serving the person of Museveni without questioning,” says Mathias Mpuuga, the Masaka municipality MP and shadow minister for the Presidency and Anti-Corruption Affairs.
Mpuuga says he is leading public interest litigation against retired and serving RDCs with questionable academic qualifications.
A review of the RDCs’ list presented before Parliament in October last year by Presidency Minister Frank Tumwebaze is revealing. It shows, for instance, that the then Bundibugyo RDC Samuel Kazinga has an O-level certificate, listed as his only academic qualification.
This also applies to Kayunga RDC Nahori Oyaa and Alex Odongo, the Nebbi deputy RDC. Odongo has an EACE (East African Certificate of Education), the 1970s equivalent of UCE (Uganda Certificate of Education) O-level certificate.
The list also highlights some unusual qualifications although it does not indicate the awarding institutions. Jinja RDC Judith Rwakishumba, for instance, presented a diploma in Ideological Separation of Politics.
Queries over the RDCs’ academic qualifications were first raised in 2011 when the Presidential Affairs Parliamentary committee forced the then minister for Presidency Beatrice Wabudeya to present the RDCs’ list, indicating their qualifications.
MPs raised serious queries, and Wabudeya pleaded that the list should not be made public, arguing that disclosure would cause disharmony.
A year later, the same committee made their demands bolder, threatening not to approve the ministry’s budget unless it availed the list of RDCs and their qualifications.
The list had at least 26 RDCs with doubtable academic testimonials but the presidency pleaded with the lawmakers to pass the ministry budget.
The ministry promised to ask RDCs to produce certified copies.
“When we stuck to our guns [in 2012], they [government] asked for more time because the RDCs were still submitting their documents,” Mpuuga said, adding that the more time government requested for, allowed RDCs to forge documents.
Some of the RDCs with questionable documents were dropped in an August 2012 reshuffle and the lucky ones redeployed as presidential aides.
Who is the current RDC of Entebbe?
Mbabazi Justine is the appointed Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Wakiso District who represents the president and the government in the district.
What is the role of RDC in Uganda?
The RDC assists its LGU members, when so requested, in the preparation of local development plans, local investment programs, and in the preparation of program/project proposals for possible official development assistance.