Leadership and national development are not the responsibility of government officials alone. Every Ugandan has a role to play in building a country where public resources are protected, government programmes achieve their intended objectives, and households experience improved livelihoods. The true measure of leadership and citizenship lies in the willingness to take responsibility, address challenges, and contribute to the well-being of society.
This is the significance of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s grassroots message, which emphasises socio-economic transformation, accountability, mindset change, and the need to fight poverty.
The message, “Kisanja: No More Sleeping, No More Corruption,” should not only challenge government officials to deliver on their responsibilities but also encourage every Ugandan to contribute to national development.
Every government official must put service before self, work diligently, and ensure effective and efficient service delivery to the Wanaichi (citizens).
Ministers, Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners, Resident City Commissioners, local government leaders, technical officers, and other public servants must remain accountable for their responsibilities.
Public office is a duty to serve, and government commitments must translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
However, the responsibility for transformation extends beyond public institutions. Religious leaders, political parties, cultural leaders, civil society organisations, the private sector, and ordinary citizens all have a role in promoting accountability, productive work, wealth creation, and responsible citizenship.
Regardless of political affiliation, religious belief, or social background, every Ugandan should contribute to the country’s progress.
In my recent community engagement Barazas on government programmes, traversing the different wards and parishes that make up Soroti City West Division, I have witnessed the importance of taking the microphone directly to the Wanaichi.
These engagements provide a platform for citizens to share their experiences, raise concerns, and seek solutions, while allowing beneficiaries who have succeeded through government programmes to share their stories and inspire others.
During these meetings, community members have shared experiences with various government programmes, highlighting both achievements and challenges. Some concerns have been addressed, while others remain pending and require further attention.
Through this approach, I have witnessed political leaders, technical officers, security personnel, and other stakeholders being held accountable to the people they serve.
This has energised community members and strengthened their ownership of government programmes. It demonstrates that Barazas are an important way of bringing government closer to the people, identifying service delivery gaps, and encouraging citizens to participate actively in their communities’ development.
The Parish Development Model (PDM), health facilities, schools, roads, and agricultural programmes require consistent supervision to ensure that resources reach their intended beneficiaries.
Monitoring must go beyond writing reports and making occasional visits. It should identify weaknesses, establish responsibility, and ensure that corrective action follows.
Allegations of corruption, extortion, and abuse of office must be investigated fairly, while public servants who perform their duties diligently should be encouraged to achieve even better results.
I strongly believe that if all Ugandans embrace President Museveni’s message on socio-economic transformation, particularly the Ekibalo (mathematics) of fighting the enemy called poverty, we can achieve improved livelihoods for our people. This requires mindset change, beginning with leaders and extending to the communities they serve.
Every household must recognise the importance of productive economic activities, saving, investment, wealth creation, and the responsible use of available opportunities. Government programmes can support this journey, but citizens must also take the initiative and use the opportunities available to them to improve their livelihoods.
Religious leaders should encourage responsible living and productive work, political parties should promote constructive participation in national development, and community leaders should help citizens understand and benefit from available opportunities. Every Ugandan, regardless of position, must recognise that fighting poverty is a shared responsibility.
Ultimately, “No More Sleeping, No More Corruption” should be reflected in the conduct of public servants and supported by the active participation of citizens. Accountability must become a daily culture, while community engagement should remain a practical bridge between leaders and the people.
Uganda’s transformation requires leaders who listen, officials who deliver, and citizens who take responsibility. Every Ugandan must therefore play their part in building a country where government programmes achieve their intended purpose, public resources are protected, and households have better opportunities to prosper.
The message is clear: national development is everyone’s responsibility, and every Ugandan must deliver.
The author is Mr. Kyomya James, Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Soroti City West Division.
