The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Rakai, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Community Development Officers in Rakai district are desperately in need of facilitation to mobilize and sensitize communities about the new Parish Development Model program.
According to the Ministry of Local Government, some of the duties and responsibilities of CDOs include planning and budgeting for development programs at the community level, and organizing communities to effectively participate in development initiatives.
However in Rakai, the people have not been prepared for the program.
According to Godfrey Kimbugwe, the Rakai District Community Development Officer-CDO, various communities across the district especially in hard-to-reach communities such as Kacheera, Kyarulangira, Ntantamuki town council, are still ignorant about the program.
He says that the CDOs lack transport to reach communities which have deprived people of vital information.
Kimbugwe says that the CDOs cannot use their meager salary to facilitate their movements.
Kimbugwe wants the Ministry of Local Government to buy motorcycles for the CDOs to ensure that all government initiatives are successfully monitored.
Pastor Wilson Mwesigwa, the councilor Kibaale town council, says that the parish councilors lack information about the programs.
According to Evelyn Nabalema, the Kansankala sub-county councilor, the CDOs and parish chiefs have not done enough to prepare residents in Kiyumbakimu, Kilangira, Kongonta, Kansankala, and Kyamakanaga parishes for the program.
In Byakabanda sub-county, Umar Ssebalinde, the councilor says that the CDOs have not been active in sensitizing the communities in the three parishes of Byakabanda, Kitaasa, and Kamukalo.
Remigious Ssemirembe, a resident of Rakai town council, says he is ignorant about the criteria of benefitting from the program.
Edward Kamya Kabuye, the Rakai Assistant Chief Administrative Officer says that they have recruited enough Parish chiefs to manage the program.
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