Kampala, Uganda: Close to forty (40) Resident District/City Commissioners (RDCs/RCCs), their deputies, and assistants are rumored to have already requested President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to allow them to transition from their current roles into elective politics, many eyeing parliamentary seats in the 2026 general elections.
Among the prominent figures seeking new ground are former Kampala and Masaka RCC Hudu Hussein (now Kumi RDC), Bukomansimbi’s Ssalongo Pax Kalema, Soroti’s Peter Pex Paak, Iganga’s Wandera Sadala, Naava Masitulah of Nyendo Mukungwe (Masaka City), Deborah Mwesigwa of Kamuli, and George Abdullah, among others.
Recent media reports had alleged that the President had moved to curb this migration by restricting the number of RDCs allowed to contest. However, these claims were categorically dismissed by Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, who stated that the President had not held any meeting to discourage or prevent RDCs from pursuing political careers.
“I wish to clarify that H.E. the President @KagutaMuseveni has not stopped RDCs/DRDCs/RCCs/DRCCs or Assistant RDCs/RCCs from standing for any political office as it is being circulated online,” Babalanda posted Wednesday afternoon on her official X handle. “It’s everybody’s constitutional right to contest for a position as long as they follow the law. As the Presidency, we only guided RDCs on how to comply with the law,” she added.
Her remarks come at a time when several RDCs are seeking a new path, and many are beginning to refer to the RDC fraternity as Uganda’s unofficial “Leadership Academy.”
Whoever succeeds through the rigorous contest on the road to the hugely coveted August House will join the endless list of national leaders who have started their trade under the Babalanda-led cabinet docket. These, notably, include Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze, Junior Lands Minister Persis Namuganza, former Defense Minister Vicent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, Minister for Presidency, Hon Babalanda herself, alongside several members of Parliament.
This transition trend has become a defining feature of the pre-election season. Whether driven by ambition or disillusionment, it’s undeniable that the RDC office has become a key grooming ground for Uganda’s top leadership.
Despite wielding considerable authority in the districts, RDCs remain among the least-paid senior public officials, earning UGX 1.7M for full RDCs, UGX 990,000 for deputies, and UGX 670,000 for assistants. Some speculate this wage gap motivates their push for higher-paying positions like Parliament, though not all agree with that view.
Kumi RDC Hudu Hussein offers a different take. “I feel I have achieved everything there has been to achieve. I have been mentored by the very best, and in the best interest of my country, I feel the experience I have gathered over the years can best be put to use while serving in a different capacity.”
Like Hudu, Wandera Sadala also feels it is self-defeating and career cowardice to feel comfortable serving in one capacity for more than necessary, even if you identify gaps that need new energy, force, and faces.
For Naava Masitulah, her decision to transition to the legislature comes after five years of service. “The experience I’ve gained is enough to seek a bigger challenge,” she says. Naava, who narrowly lost the NRM primaries for the Central Region Youth MP seat in 2020, believes now is the time to fulfill that vision.
In the district or City, the RDC ranks as the topmost official, commanding security, service delivery, and acting as the government’s chief communicator. Apart from legislation, the RDC leads the monitoring and supervision functions in the district, key roles of a Member of Parliament. The RDC is also charged with collecting people’s views and forwarding them to the president to aid in community-compatible policy formation.
Coupled with the mobilization function, which mainly involves addressing people’s challenges and communicating government policy decisions, the RDC office offers the most effective platform to mold the best legislative seeds and the most refined candidates for Cabinet Ministers. And this trend doesn’t seem to be withering out anytime soon.
Under Babalanda, the Presidency has broadened its scope with nearly 400 Assistant Resident District and City Commissioners joining the ranks. These, under the strict mentorship and guidance of senior RDCs, will largely be monitored for possible key leadership roles in the years ahead. It’s thus not surprising that while appointing these officials, the president emphasizes the minimum requirement for one to be a Member of Parliament or Minister, which is an A-level. The expert leadership under Babalanda and Eunice Kakanda has obviously improved the capacity of RDCs to take key leadership roles in the country.
The Writer is The Assistant Resident City Commissioner for Nyendo Mukungwe- Masaka City Division.
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