Incoming leaders in Rukungiri District have pledged to intensify the fight against corruption, streamline service delivery and ensure proper utilization of public resources as they begin a new leadership term focused on accountability and development.
The leaders also committed to addressing delayed pension and gratuity payments, reviving stalled projects such as the Kahengye water project, tackling illegal job selling in recruitment processes and closing infrastructure gaps across the district.
Speaking during the swearing-in and transition activities, Rukungiri District LC5 Chairperson Andrewson Charles Kateebire said corruption in recruitment and public administration would not be tolerated.
“We have cases where people are buying jobs, which are supposed to be free. We are going to streamline recruitment and management of human resources,” Kateebire said.
Rukungiri Municipality MP Henry Tumukunde also warned public servants against engaging in corruption, saying leadership positions are meant to serve citizens.
“Everyone must know that if you are occupying a public job, your job is to serve public good. You can't be corrupt,” Tumukunde said.
District leaders said they would focus on ensuring proper accountability and effective allocation of the district’s approved Shs69 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Rukungiri District Council Speaker Albert Ahabwe Mugisha said both government funding and locally generated revenue must directly benefit communities.
“The little resources that will be coming to the district plus the local revenue that will be generated by the district shall be appropriated very well such that our communities can be served effectively,” he said.
Despite the commitments, district officials acknowledged several challenges, including limited road equipment and the absence of a referral hospital in the district.
Rukungiri District Chief Administrative Officer Fredrick Byekwaso said the new administration would begin by commissioning completed projects in the education, health and road sectors.
Leaders also relayed President Museveni’s message urging citizens and leaders to embrace patriotism and wealth creation.
Tumukunde called on residents, especially the youth, to actively participate in economic activities and development programmes.
“Nobody should sleep especially you young people. Find time to work for yourself and your country,” he said.
Kateebire, who returns for a second term after spending five years out of office, also raised concerns over delays in processing pension and gratuity payments for retired civil servants, blaming corruption among some officials.
“We have issues of not only pension but also gratuity for those who retire. Sometimes we have found out that it's a few corrupt officials who want some bribes to process their files,” he said.