The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Regional local government leaders across the Western Region are convening this week at the National Institute of Leadership in Kyankwanzi District in a major programme by the Manifesto Implementation Unit (MIU) to equip them with the knowledge and capacity to understand and implement the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto 2026-2031 commitments.
“Local government leaders are the link between the Manifesto and citizens. They translate its commitments into local plans and budgets, coordinate implementation, monitor progress and account for results,” said Willis Bashaasha, Director, Manifesto Implementation Unit. The retreat is part of the FY 2026/27 regional leadership retreat series.
The retreat comes at a time when the Ministry of Local Government is intensifying oversight of local governments through nationwide accountability and anti-corruption inspections, which have highlighted concerns about misuse of public resources, weak project implementation and gaps in accountability.
The five-day training will bring together at least 200 participants, including Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Resident City Commissioners (RCCs), LCV District and NRM Chairpersons from the Ankole, Bunyoro, Kigezi and Rwenzori sub-regions. Other participants include mayors, chief administrative officers (CAOs), and city municipal and town clerks.
In a statement, Bashaasha noted that “accountability must begin with understanding expectations, planning for delivery and tracking results.”
“Our role,” he adds, “is to ensure local government leaders have the clarity and tools to deliver on Manifesto commitments and account for public resources.”
Babalanda cautions
“The implementation of the NRM Manifesto begins where citizens live: in our districts, cities and municipalities. This retreat will help local government leaders to be present in the field, work as a team, and ensure that every commitment made to Ugandans is translated into tangible results,” Babirye Milly Babalanda, Minister for the Presidency, said.
Against this backdrop, the retreat provides an opportunity to reinforce the preventive side of accountability by equipping local government leaders to plan for delivery, monitor performance, maintain credible evidence and account for results.
A key emphasis will be on evidence-based reporting, to enable local governments to clearly demonstrate progress against commitments, identify implementation challenges and document results.
The engagement will also provide an opportunity for local government leaders to share experiences, identify bottlenecks and increase coordination around the delivery of government programmes.
The regional retreat series forms part of MIU’s broader mandate to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the NRM Manifesto 2026-2031 and strengthen accountability for its delivery.
Following the Western Region engagement, the retreat series will extend to other regions.
