KAMPALA
The Office of the President has warned the public against fraudsters soliciting money in exchange for appointments as Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and their deputies.
Babirye Milly Babalanda, the Minister for the Presidency, said they have been alerted to “unscrupulous individuals” who are fraudulently collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of securing appointments as RDCs, Deputy RDCs and Assistant RDCs.
“The public is hereby notified that these claims are false and aimed at tarnishing the name and reputation of the Office of the President,” she said.
The minister emphasised that appointments to the RDC structure are made through established government procedures and that any official communication is disseminated through recognised channels.
“No person should be duped to part with money for such appointments,” Babalanda stated, urging members of the public to disregard such calls and report related incidents to the nearest police stations.
RDC salaries under review
The warning comes at a time when government is reviewing the welfare of RDCs.
Recently, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, told the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee that government plans to enhance salaries for RDCs from the current Shs2.2m to between Shs6m and Shs9m.
Kakande said the proposed increment is aimed at improving the facilitation and performance of the presidential representatives at district level.
However, he also expressed concern over reports implicating some RDCs in electoral malpractices during the recently concluded presidential, parliamentary and local government elections.
He told the committee that in some districts, including Ssembabule, RDCs allegedly intimidated Electoral Commission returning officers, undermining transparency in the electoral process.
RDCs are presidential representatives in districts and are mandated to coordinate government programmes, monitor service delivery and ensure security.
Meanwhile, the government has urged the public to remain vigilant and to verify any information regarding appointments through official government platforms.
