President Yoweri Museveni will have up to 357 assistant RDCs or assistant RCCs – cadres of his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) – for his government and party work. But what exactly are these assistant RDCs and assistant RCCs supposed to do.
Presidency minister Milly Babirye Babalanda has noted that the two staffs hired to join the RDC office as assistants will “support with activities in the office.”
The Pearl Times has seen appointment letters sent to the assistant RDCs and assistant RCCs.
For example, this letter addressed to Kiruhura District assistant RDC Gershom Mushabe does not specify the duties assigned. It is the RDCs and their deputies that will give instructions to the assistant RDCs and assistant RCCs.
“Following your appointment as Assistant Resident District Commissioner, in the Public Service; you are hereby posted to Kiruhura District. You are therefore, advised to report to the Resident District Commissioner, Kiruhura for further duty instructions and assignment of duty,” reads the letter that Yunus Kakande, secretary office of the president, on April 17, 2024.
“By copy of this letter, the Resident District Commissioner, Kiruhura should inform my Office the date of your assumption of duty.
This letter is similar to what has been sent to other assistant RDCs and assistant RCCs.
The Pearl Times has seen another piece of communication attributed to Minister Babalanda which shows the roles of the assistant RCCs and assistant RDCs. The minister has asked RDCs and RCCs to “officially receive these new officers and to introduce them to the District Security Committees and all the other stakeholders in the district/city.”
“You are asked to run them through the Operational Guidelines which I issued to you at Kyankwanzi during your induction in 2022,” Babalanda added. “ The Assistant RDCs/RCCs are civil servants like you. They are third in command in your offices. The RDC/RCC is the Head followed by the Deputy and then the Assistant RDCs/RCCs.”
She also listed the four areas the assistant RDCs and assistant RCCs will be required to focus on. Kakande’s office is also expected to “issue more guidance as per the public service standing regulations.”
“ In terms of function, the RDCs/RCCs and Deputies will concentrate on monitoring and supervision of government services delivery while the Assistant RDCs/RCCs will largely focus on patriotism, mobilization and the fight against corruption,” the communication attributed to Minister Babalanda further read.
Read our earlier report on the appointment of over 300 assistant RDCs – who will be a new burden to Ugandan taxpayers Here.