Masaka City — The Minister of State for Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President, Hon. Santa Alum Ogwang, has delivered a strong closing message to the administrative and security leadership of the Greater Masaka Sub-Region, demanding an end to institutional rivalry and a renewed focus on tangible results.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Milly Babalanda, at the close of a three-day workshop held at Solo Hites Hotel in Masaka City, Minister Alum Ogwang emphasized that the true value of the workshop would be measured by what happens in the field, not by the speeches delivered at the venue. The workshop brought together Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), their deputies and assistants, alongside Regional and District Internal Security Officers (RISOs and DISOs).
"The people of Greater Masaka will not measure this workshop by the speeches delivered here. They will measure it by what they experience when they return to their communities," Alum Ogwang warned the officers. "Do not wait for another meeting before acting."
The Minister highlighted the pressing challenges facing the sub-region, including household poverty, youth unemployment, land-related conflicts, urban pressures, and gaps in service delivery. She noted that these issues cannot be solved by a single institution acting alone, calling for coordinated leadership among RDCs, local governments, and security agencies.
A significant portion of the address focused on the integrity of government reporting and the management of public resources. Minister Alum Ogwang expressed concern that substantial investments in government programs were at risk of becoming mere "exercises in administrative reporting."
"Government programs must not remain on paper... Your responsibility is to establish whether the intended beneficiaries are actually being reached and whether the interventions are producing the desired outcomes," she stated. She called for an end to lengthy, unhelpful reports, demanding instead clarity, evidence, and a clear chain of follow-up.
Addressing the often-tense relationship between RDCs and elected local leaders, the Minister urged professionalism and adherence to institutional mandates. She stressed that differences in responsibility should not become sources of unnecessary confrontation.
"The people of Uganda are not interested in institutional rivalry. They want Government to work," she said, urging officers to use appropriate institutional channels to resolve disagreements rather than assuming functions outside their legal mandates.
The Minister also emphasized the critical link between security and development, noting that issues like poverty, misinformation, and unresolved land disputes can create instability if left unaddressed. She directed security officers to ensure all interventions remain professional, lawful, and evidence-based, while respecting the rights and dignity of citizens.
In her concluding remarks, Minister Alum Ogwang tasked the leaders with improving the quality of their reports, increasing their presence in the field, and ensuring stronger institutional coordination.
"I now declare the three-day workshop officially closed," she announced, leaving the officers with a clear directive: return to your stations with renewed determination and a clear commitment to measurable results.
