KARENGA, July 9, 2026 — Women councillors from Karenga district in the Karamoja Sub-region have pledged to fight corruption, strengthen accountability and promote effective service delivery following the conclusion of a three-day training on how they can effectively legislate.
The commitment was made at the close of the training under the Women’s Amplified Voice for Accountability [WAVA] Project, which culminated in the formation of the Karenga District Women Councillors’ Caucus to strengthen unity and collective advocacy among women leaders.
Closing the training days ago, Karenga Deputy Resident District Commissioner Ronald Kedi Ongodia thanked the Government of Uganda and President Yoweri Museveni for restoring peace in Karamoja, saying the improved security had enabled leaders to focus on development programmes such as the Parish Development Model [PDM].
He urged councillors to actively monitor government initiatives, including the PDM, to ensure they reach the intended beneficiaries and are not undermined by corruption.
“You are the eyes of the district and the watchdogs of your communities. Fight corruption and ensure government programmes, including PDM funds, benefit the people they are intended to serve,” Ongodia said.
He cautioned leaders against relying on rumours, urging them instead to be well informed and guided by established governance frameworks.
“Be informed and read the relevant documents, including the Constitution. Do not base your decisions on rumours. Understand your roles clearly so that you can serve effectively,” he added.
Ongodia also warned against the abuse of office and internal conflicts within councils, calling on leaders to demonstrate unity and professionalism.
“Do not abuse your powers and forget your responsibilities. Leadership is about service, not personal battles,” he said, adding that councillors should avoid turning council sessions into “battlefields” of political conflict.
Speaking during the training, the Executive Director of Nakere Rural Women Activists [NARWOA], Jessica Ruth Ataa, encouraged the women leaders to embrace discipline, teamwork and professionalism.
She emphasised that leadership comes with responsibility and urged councillors to uphold integrity in both their conduct and service delivery.
“Be disciplined, be smart and carry yourselves as leaders because people look up to you. Leadership comes with responsibility,” Ataa said.
She also highlighted the importance of using the caucus as a platform for unity, consultation and collective action.
“When you have issues, use the caucus. Let it be the platform through which your concerns are discussed so that your voice can be heard,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Napeyok Juliana, Woman Councillor for Kapedo Town Council and the newly elected Vice Chairperson of the caucus, said the training had strengthened the women’s understanding of legislative processes and accountability mechanisms.
She said the caucus would enable women leaders to support one another and speak with one voice on issues affecting their communities.
The training covered legislative engagement, council procedures, motion drafting, committee work, advocacy strategies, budget analysis, oversight responsibilities and community representation.
The programme was implemented under the Women’s Amplified Voice for Accountability [WAVA] Project by the Forum for Women in Democracy [FOWODE] in partnership with Nakere Rural Women Activists [NARWOA], with support from the Embassy of Ireland, the Embassy of Denmark and the Embassy of Sweden.
The newly established Karenga District Women Councillors’ Caucus is expected to strengthen coordination, mentorship and collective advocacy among women leaders across the district.
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