By Robert Atuhairwe
Resident District Commissioner (RDC)
It’s with much pleasure that I pen this article for this distinguished publication with a slant to transformational news. This is an area quite lacking in coverage, with much space going to things that distract the people from the serious business of surviving in an ever evolving global economy.
Now in my second year as Resident District Commissioner (RDC),I must say I have this job quite challenging, but in a good way. There is no greater reward than seeing oneself at the forefront of identifying and helping society’s problems. The job of an RDC is to represent the President and do in the district what the President would do if he were the one in charge of that district. As you all know H.E YoweriKagutaMuseveni, what would he do if he were the RDC of Bushenyi, and how? It’s with such a mindset that I approach my job.
On November last year, together with the team that makes up the Office of the President in Bushenyi, including Deputy RDC, Ms. Atuhaire Rosemary, District Internal Security Officer (DISO), Afande Don Ayebare and his Deputy then, AfandeEnockKaliisa; my staff, Ms. AineAdrine (Secretary), Ms. NsiimentaApecious (Office Assistant) and Mr. Tumwiine Stephen (Driver) officially entered our new office block at commissioning by the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. BabiryeMillyBabalanda, accompanied by the Secretary Office of the President, Hajji YunusKakande, and other staff of the Presidency. This was exactly two months since I had assumed office in Bushenyi.
The magnificent block is worth over Shs700million, and we intend to make it a temple of excellence in monitoring and supervising Government programmes. It’s also a place where justice and relief have been served to the people who come there seeking redress from within the community. We thank Government for this investment!
Bushenyi is fondly known as the “model district.” Ever since I came, the model billing remains standing in many respects. In last year’s PLE, UCE and UACE examinations, Bushenyi either topped the country or emerged among the top three. What a feat! There was also a Local Government assessment on absorption of funds. Ishaka-Bushenyi Municipality emerged second after Ntungamo. Bushenyi also excelled in the Health sector assessment. As the leadership, our intention is to keep Bushenyi highly competitive and functional in terms of making Governance a reality among our people.
With the coming of Parish Development Model (PDM), Government’s flagship socioeconomic transformation programme now in full swing, as Bushenyi we intend to be the best in its implementation. In short, the Munyabushenyi who has, hitherto, been out of the money economy will be ushered into a new status- being a producer, able to feed himself and dependents, but also produce for the market. This will spur supply in the open market and help make goods more affordable but also make use of the broad market in the region. Increased production will also spur industrial development through the sector of value-addition. I want to see Bushenyi become a value-addition hub.
We are already blessed to have the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (BIRDC)-formerly PIBID-at Nyaruzinga, headed by Prof. Florence Muranga as a viable example of what value-addition can do to our traditional crops. There are “a million and one ways” in which we can process crops such as cassava, potatoes, yams, millet and animal products like beef, eggs and waste from garden and farm activities. PDM will open our eyes to this potential when our people gain an upper hand in embracing the purpose behind the parish-based transformation plan.
Absorption of PDM funds is at a good rating, if not the best in the country. Most of the beneficiaries of the revolving funds are taking the full Shgs1million (the maximum) and they are showing willingness to pay back on time and ask for more. Thanks to H.E the President for directing that the repayment period is extended to two years (24years), including for Emyooga. This will help our people understand their enterprises better and grow them on their way to a new status in the economy.
I appreciate the support and involvement of Bushenyi leaders; Chairman LC 5, Mr. Jaffari Basajjabalaba, CAO Mr. Bataringaya Willy and the technical team, the entire District Council led Speaker, Hon. Mucunguzi Douglas and our representatives in Parliament-Hon. Annet Mugisha (Woman MP), Hon. Michael Mawanda (Igara East), Hon., Kabuura Derrick (Ishaka-Bushenyi Municipality) and Hon. Gaffa Mbwatekamwa (Igara West); Mayor BIMC-His Worship Richard Byaruhanga, Town Clerk, Mr. Mukobi Seleverio and the technical and political teams; religious leaders, civil society, private sector, opinion leaders and figures who built Bushenyi, the media and the Banyabushenyi at large. Let’s maintain Bushenyi as a model district. It takes clarity of vision and teamwork!
The author is the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Bushenyi
Contact: 0778738888
Email: 777aronda777@gmail.com
