Former RDCs Petition President Museveni for Assistance Amid Financial Hardships

Over 30 former Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), RCCs and their deputies have submitted a petition to President Yoweri Museveni, seeking assistance due to abrupt termination or reshuffling from their positions.

These former officials claim to face significant financial difficulties, compounded by a sense of not fitting into their communities.

The petitioners allege that they were assured of a package upon the conclusion of their tenure, yet years later, they remain unpaid. Many had taken bank loans, expecting to repay them using their monthly salaries. However, before they could clear their debts, they were unexpectedly relieved of their duties, leaving them in a precarious financial situation.

Richard Andama, a former RDC for Yumbe district says despite numerous letters written to the office of the President since 2022, they have received no response. They now seek an audience with President Museveni to discuss and address their plight, considering him as the appointing authority.

Andama emphasized the predicament faced by the group, stating that they were encouraged to take loans from banks but were subsequently dropped before they could repay them.

Johana Olweny, the former RDC for Kole district, highlighted the challenges they encountered while in office, including dealing with complex tasks that often led to them facing opposition within their communities. He notes that these complicated tasks that left them with many enemies in communities were created by the office because of the nature of their job and retiring from work without a package in the face of their adversaries has been hard.

Eric Sakwa, former RDC for Jinja district, recounted his experience of championing various causes during his tenure, such as fighting corruption and environmental degradation. However, he mentioned being falsely accused and jailed in 2020, facing significant legal costs despite being acquitted in 2022. Sakwa expressed the added burden of lacking retirement benefits and having to sell his assets to fund his legal defense.

The former RDCs are urging President Museveni to provide them with a “resettlement package” to alleviate their financial distress.

The Pensions Act Cap 286, outlines various circumstances under which employees can leave the Public Service with pensionable benefits. They include; restructuring, medical grounds, early retirement, marriage grounds, impairment, end or termination of contract, and transfer of service out of public service.