Uganda-India Cooperation: Hajji Yunus Kakande Flags Off 20 RDCs for Capacity Building Training in India

The Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, has commended India for maintaining a strong historical relationship with Uganda. Speaking during a flag-off ceremony for 20 Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) set to travel to India for a two-week capacity-building training, Hajji Kakande emphasized the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.

The ceremony, held at the Office of the President in Kampala, marked another milestone in the longstanding Uganda-India cooperation. The delegation of RDCs will depart on March 25, 2025, for an intensive training program designed to enhance their administrative and leadership skills in managing rural areas.

Hajji Kakande highlighted the shared history between Uganda and India, dating back to the early 1900s when Indian workers played a significant role in constructing the railway from Mombasa through Kisumu to Uganda. He also acknowledged the contributions of Indian entrepreneurs, such as the Madhvani family, who played a pivotal role in Uganda’s economic development.

“India and Uganda are so interconnected. We share a lot of history. Around 1900, when the railway was being constructed, Indians took over the Constitution from Mombasa, Kisumu, and Uganda. Even the first people to open up big businesses in Uganda were Indians, like the Madhvanis,” Hajji Kakande remarked.

Hajji Kakande emphasized that the training opportunity for RDCs is a direct result of the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries. He noted that India’s decision to host Uganda’s field officers for specialized training is a demonstration of mutual cooperation and shared development interests.

“The beneficiaries have been carefully selected as change agents based on character and hard work. When they return, they will be instrumental in driving positive change and improving service delivery at the grassroots level,” he said.

He further explained that benchmarking India’s policies and services will help Uganda implement strategies that lift people out of poverty.

“As the Office of the President, we saw that it would be prudent for our officers to learn from India’s successful policies. The new skills acquired will enhance their performance and contribute to the government’s efforts to improve service delivery,” he added.

Hajji Kakande also urged the Indian government to extend similar training opportunities to more Ugandan officials, particularly those in field administration.

The Second Secretary for Education at the Indian High Commission in Uganda, Mr. Upendra Singh Negi, who represented India’s High Commissioner, reassured Hajji Kakande of India’s continued support. He acknowledged the critical role education plays in national development and expressed confidence that the training will enhance the effectiveness of the RDCs.

“Education is an important aspect of development. An educated country definitely develops. I wish you all the best in India, and we shall continue to support more delegations from Uganda,” Mr. Negi stated.

Maj. Martha Asiimwe, the Head of the RDC Secretariat and leader of the delegation, assured Hajji Kakande that the knowledge gained from India will be used to transform Uganda’s rural areas. She described the training as an invaluable opportunity to acquire new tools for socio-economic development.

“The additional tools from India will be used to build another block for Uganda’s socio-economic development,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude to Hajji Kakande and the Special Presidential Assistant on Uganda Diaspora Issues, Mrs. Florence Kiremerwa, for their role in securing the training opportunity.

Additionally, Mr. Saleh Kamba, the RDC of Kabarole District, thanked the Office of the President for facilitating the training and pledged that the participants would apply the knowledge effectively.

“We are going to perform to the best of your expectations, sir,” Mr. Kamba noted.

Hajji Kakande’s remarks underscored the significance of continued collaboration between Uganda and India in various sectors, including education, governance, and economic development. He commended the Indian government for implementing programs that have empowered their citizens, emphasizing that Uganda is also on the right track.

“India has been part of Uganda and will forever be. Thank you for giving our officers an opportunity to enhance their skills in managing rural areas,” he noted.

The training program in India is expected to equip the RDCs with best practices in governance, rural development, and public administration, further strengthening Uganda’s leadership framework at the district level.

With this initiative, Uganda-India relations continue to flourish, paving the way for more collaborative opportunities in governance and human resource development.