Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, has urged RDC’s to collaborate with local and national leaders by holding regular consultations, monitoring and accountability findings, and resolving national and local issues that affect their constituencies.

He made these remarks on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, while addressing newly appointed Assistant RDC’s and RCC’s at the National Leadership Training Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, who are undergoing a two-week induction course into their roles and functions.

Tayebwa, whose address was via Zoom, stated that the Office of RDC and RCC plays an important role in the country’s development, but if it is not managed properly, it can become a major impediment to the development of the communities.

Tayebwa informed the RDC’s and RCC’s that parliament continues to receive complaints about the poor conduct of some of them, particularly those who use excessive force while performing their duties.

“Such behavior is not good for the image of the government and destroys our country’s democratic credentials,” he said.

He further stated that the RDC’s have a key role to play in monitoring, communicating, and mobilizing the population to participate in government programmes, while the politicians are key in planning and evenly distributing public resources so that the communities can address their priority needs.

However, he stated that it is critical for RDC’s and their assistants to understand the roles and responsibilities that the National Constitution and the Local Government Act (as amended) establish for RDC’s and political leaders.

“These roles were purposefully designed to deepen decentralization and provide an entry point for the central government to support, guide, and enforce accountability in local governments through the RDC’s office,” he added.

He also congratulated them on their appointments, which are enshrined in Article 203 of the Constitution.