Ignorance of Government Programs Among Monitors Impeding Effective Service Delivery

The Head of the RDC Secretariat, Maj. Martha Asiimwe, has said that certain officials responsible for monitoring government programs and projects lack sufficient knowledge and awareness.

Maj. Asiimwe informed the Assistant Resident District Commissioners (ARDCs) and Assistant Resident City Commissioners (ARCCs)  of programs being implemented in their respective districts, which hampers effective service delivery.

“Many monitors are not even aware of their roles. For instance, under the Parish Development Model (PDM), some Parish Development actors were unaware of their responsibilities, thereby limiting their effectiveness,” she stated.

Maj. Asiimwe made these remarks today during the ongoing two-week induction training for Assistant RDCs and RCCs at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.

The Head of the RDC Secretariat further explained that due to inadequate monitoring of government projects by the responsible actors, the implementation process often relies heavily on the contractors.

“Late submission of monitoring reports makes it difficult to obtain an overall picture of the performance of government programs and projects, or to identify cross-cutting service delivery challenges,” Maj. Asiimwe asserted.

“Limited follow-up on the implementation of recommendations arising from the monitoring and evaluation of government policies, programs, and projects leads to slow project implementation, failed or abandoned projects, and ineffective outcomes. In some cases, implementers conceal information on the performance of government programs and projects.”

Maj. Asiimwe advised the Assistant RDCs and RCCs that to effectively monitor government programs, they should obtain, read, and understand all the necessary source documents that guide monitoring.

“You will need key documents while monitoring. These include the constitution of the Republic of Uganda, the NRM Manifesto (2021-2026), Musevenomics, the National Development Plan, PDM guidelines, procurement work plans, and the Public Service Standing Order, among others,” she said.

“As you have noted, there are several challenges in monitoring government policies, programs, and projects, some of which have contributed to the numerous ‘white elephants’ across the country. Additionally, a number of challenges are related to our attitudes and mindsets, including a poor reading culture. We therefore need to reflect on these issues and act accordingly to address the problem of persistent poor program and project implementation and achieve our objectives.”

The Managing Director of the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC), Prof. Sudi Nangoli, who presented a paper on the monitoring and evaluation of government programs, informed the Assistant RDCs and RCCs that as senior civil servants appointed by the President, they are expected to achieve efficiency and value addition, which can only be realized through effective monitoring.

“Monitoring is only realized when you know your roles and responsibilities. Article 203 clarifies that monitoring the implementation of central and local government services is your duty,” he said.

Prof. Nangoli also informed the trainees that they need to carry out monitoring and evaluation to ensure that government programs are achieving their intended goals.

“Monitoring and evaluation help us identify and address challenges promptly, and provide accountability and transparency,” he said.

“To achieve effective monitoring, you should be goal-oriented, consider the individual needs of your team, be ethical, and operate within budget and time constraints,” he added.

Prof. Nangoli also urged the commissioners to work towards mobilizing the masses to embrace the government’s poverty alleviation programs, such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).

“PDM, if well-handled, will transform our country. It is of paramount importance to development. Think of solutions that can help deliver the success of the program,” Prof. Nangoli noted.

Mr. Habib Sseruwagi, a member of the Equal Opportunities Commission, told the Assistant RDCs and RCCs that the role of the commission is to assist individuals and groups in understanding their right to equal opportunities and their responsibilities, as well as to facilitate redress for discrimination and marginalization.

“The commission is committed to fostering a society in which all individuals are equal and are treated with respect and dignity,” Mr. Sseruwagi said.

He explained that marginalization and discrimination result in underdevelopment and injustice in the country.