DOKOLO – John Peter Sasaga, the Senior Education and Training Officer at the Equal Opportunities Commission, has urged local leaders of Dokolo to treat all people equally and avoid discrimination during their tenure.
Sasaga made the call recently during the Civic Education Awareness Training on Civic Duties, Responsibilities, National Interest, Vision, Values, and Common Goods for local leaders in Dokolo District.
The training was organized by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in coordination with the Office of the RDC Dokolo, Barbara Akech, and targeted Heads of Department, District Councilors, LCIII Chairpersons, and GISOs.
Sasaga added that as the Equal Opportunities Commission, a constitutional body established under Article 32 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, their aim is to eliminate discrimination and inequalities against any individual or groups and to promote affirmative action in their favor.
Dokolo District technical staff and political leaders pointed out challenges affecting their roles that government should address to improve service delivery.
David Adim Awany, the Chairperson LC3 Kwera Sub County, while presenting the challenges on behalf of political leaders, highlighted issues including hiding of information by technical staff, high expectations from communities, delays of funds for development, poor revenue collection, inadequate staffing, corruption, and absenteeism of technical staff, among others.
He therefore recommended that government increase salaries and conduct constant training on civic education, among other measures.
On the other hand, Alfred Ogwal, the District Planner of Dokolo, while presenting on behalf of technical staff, pointed out challenges such as political interference in government programs, corruption, misuse of information shared by technical staff, and actions that contradict the constitution.
Ogwal recommended that technical staff work should be closely supervised by the Chief Administrative Officer, wrong people should be arrested and prosecuted, and disciplinary action should be taken, among others.
Denis Orit Engwedu, the Principal Assistant Secretary office of the Chief Administrative Officer of Dokolo, confirmed the challenges presented by both technical and political leaders.
He noted that corruption is a cross-cutting issue and urged leaders to embrace teamwork and collaboration to improve service delivery.
Peter Ogwang, the Chairperson LCV of Dokolo District, pledged to coordinate with government and other development partners to continue providing capacity building to leaders of Dokolo to achieve successful service delivery to the community.
