On Wednesday, the Minister for Local Government, Francis Kaboneka, launched the Governance Month in Shyira sector, Nyabihu District.

During the launch, Kaboneka urged local leaders to work hard and serve citizens if the country is to achieve its desired socio-economic development.

The minister’s remarks are a reminder that leaders are called to serve the people and lead them to improving their living standards. At the heart of good leadership is citizen participation.

As a leader, what have you done to address the problems in your area? What have you achieved in terms of empowering the citizens in your area to live better lives? These are the questions leaders should be asking themselves.

Leaders at all levels including local Government, civil society, and those in the private sector should use the campaign to recommit to the values of good leadership.

Such values put citizens at the centre of decision-making when implementing development projects in communities.

Citizen participation in formulation and implementation of community development projects should be emphasised for leaders to achieve desired goals.

Leaders should not impose solutions, but rather engage with the citizens to define their challenges and the best approach to address them. Such an approach ensures success and sustainability of the development projects in the community.

The citizens should also be sensitised on why their participation in development initiatives is crucial.

To spur the current pace of development, citizen participation efforts should be enhanced.