Rakai District – The Minister of Local Government, Hon. Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi, has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to accountability, resolving community grievances, and improving service delivery during a stakeholders’ engagement in Rakai District under H.E. the President’s Directive to Expose and Eliminate Corruption in Uganda. The meeting, attended by the Minister of State for Local Government, Hon. Justine Nameere Nsubuga, ministry officials, security agencies, district leaders, and residents, provided a platform for citizens to raise concerns on land disputes, infrastructure, and the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
A major issue raised was a dispute involving more than 300 acres of land that residents claimed they had occupied before being evicted by former Minister Bamulangaki Ssempijja. In response, Hon. Balaam contacted Mr. Ssempijja by telephone during the meeting, with the discussion heard by all stakeholders. Both parties agreed that the land should remain available to the community while the matter undergoes legal and administrative processes. The Minister also directed that an immediate caveat be placed on the land title to prevent further transactions, reaffirming Government’s commitment to ensuring justice and protecting citizens’ land rights.
District leaders also appealed for support to rehabilitate the district administration buildings. Hon. Balaam, however, urged local governments to prioritise limited public resources toward services that directly benefit citizens, including schools, health facilities, roads, and water sources, before investing in administrative infrastructure. He emphasised that prudent planning and proper prioritisation are essential for socio-economic transformation and improved service delivery.
Hon. Justine Nameere Nsubuga called on residents to actively monitor the implementation of the Parish Development Model by electing competent leaders, ensuring transparency in the management of programme funds, and reporting corruption. She stressed that responsible leadership and community participation are vital to the success of Government programmes. The Rakai engagement is part of the Ministry of Local Government’s nationwide campaign to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in local governance while improving service delivery across the country.
