Mukono District Headquarters –
Mukono District Local Government has held a Local Economic Development (LED) meeting bringing together Heads of Department, stakeholders and officials from the Ministry of Local Government to strengthen economic planning, investment and implementation of development programmes in the district.
Local Economic Development is a process through which local governments, the private sector and communities form partnerships to mobilise, manage and invest resources in economic ventures aimed at stimulating growth within their localities, as provided for under the National Local Economic Development Policy, 2014.
Representing the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Julius Muhairwe, Senior Development Officer, encouraged participants to embrace production and investment, describing productive ventures as a form of long-term wealth creation that provides sustainable livelihoods and economic security.
Muhairwe emphasized that LED is a participatory process that requires involvement of government institutions, the private sector, communities and other development partners in identifying local economic opportunities and addressing barriers to growth.
He outlined key Terms of Reference for LED, including planning and conducting local economy and business assessments, developing area economic profiles, mapping investment opportunities, and facilitating identification and development of viable and bankable projects.
He added that LED also involves promoting public-private and community partnerships, and identifying suitable land for development of industrial and business parks.
Muhairwe further highlighted the role of LED in implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM), noting that effective local economic development contributes to food security, wealth creation, employment and improved service delivery at parish and ward level.
He said successful PDM implementation requires strong institutional structures, inclusive stakeholder engagement, capacity building, coordinated planning, sustained resource mobilisation and proper utilisation of available resources.
He urged Heads of Department and other stakeholders to consistently attend LED meetings to coordinate interventions, share information and ensure effective implementation of local economic development initiatives.
Meanwhile, District Commercial Officer Ms. Beatrice Owembabazi appreciated the Ministry of Local Government for facilitating the meeting. She called for increased involvement of development partners and funders to support LED initiatives, noting that greater investment would create opportunities for the private sector and the wider community.
Mr. Moses Ekoru, Vice President representing manufacturers, pledged to continue reviewing and applying knowledge acquired from the meeting. He encouraged stakeholders to embrace knowledge sharing and collaboration to develop practical solutions and innovative economic ventures.
Ekoru described the engagement as an important opportunity for manufacturers and other stakeholders to gain knowledge that can contribute to economic progress, pledging to support translation of lessons discussed into practical actions.
The meeting provided a platform for Mukono District Local Government, the Ministry of Local Government, the private sector and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in promoting local economic growth.
Stakeholders were urged to move beyond discussions and translate knowledge, opportunities and partnerships generated through LED into practical and measurable actions that will improve livelihoods and accelerate economic development across Mukono District.
The post Mukono LED Forum Pushes Production, Investment to Spur Growth appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.