MOYO DISTRICT COUNCILORS EMPOWERED AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN OFFICE.

By Tasia Doreen

Moyo

The ministry of local government in partnership with Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) have organized a two days induction training for Moyo district local government councilors, District Service Commission, District Land Board and Local Government Accounts Committee to enhance their efficiency in service delivery.

This was the first induction of the council members since they were voted in office in the current political period. They expressed optimism of improved service delivery to the local people saying since lack of induction has been identified as the major factor affecting performance of the statutory bodies in the district.

Ms.Natukunda Naome, a senior research officer at ministry of local government, at the local council development department explained that the ministry is mandated to have inductions for the councilors which delayed due to inadequate resources. “This induction was supposed to have happened like yesterday, you are half time in your office and this is happening, the ministry is mandated to carry out this training but sometimes we are stretched and resources are not enough unless when we get partners like ACODE and I must say we really appreciate this support,’’ she said.

Mr. Asiimwe Richard finical director ACODE who represented the Executive Director ACODE empathized that it’s very crucial for officials to know their mandates. “If we get to know our mandates, our scope and we get to know what government should be doing then it becomes easy for us to demand,” he remarked.

Mr. Olego James Anga-Lefori The district councilor representing persons with disability explained that the induction has opened his mind on his mandates as a counselor in delivering services to the local population. “ever since we I came to office There was no induction for us as councilors, we have been knocking our heads here and there on how to do things in the council in terms of service delivery, I got a lot on the roles of councilors and decentralization process which we did not know”, said Anga-Lefori .

Mr. Chaiga martin a member of Public Accounts Committee Moyo district local government said that the long awaited training will a great impact on the behaviors of the councilors and other participants after missing it for two years as Moyo district council.

The district speaker Amoko Emmanuel applauded the ministry for considering the district to empower the council saying this will have a positive impact on the councilors “When we joined this council we have been singing the modes and tunes of a training of this nature for a long time, we tried lobbying and today we have gotten our dream and demand, I believe from today, the council is a new one with this training saying though late but better late than never’’, he narrated.

While closing the two days induction training, the Resident District Commissioner Moyo, Mr. Gore Goffin appreciated the ministry of local government for the efforts to ensure that the officials are trained on the roles and responsibilities. He said expectations are high especial after the training in relation to quality service delivery.  “I have been seeing things happening in the council, but am happy today they are been enlightened on how council business is conducted and the council procedure such as the long hours of council sittings,’’ he addressed.

Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) is a nonprofit entity which has existed for the last 24 years that works closely with the government through MOUS

COVER PHOTO: Group photo of the officials after closure of the training By Tasia Doreen