Minister Tumwebaze sets team to investigate fake drugs

KAMPALA – Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has appointed a special team to carry out investigations on the alleged fake drugs in the market.

“We have put up a technical committee to study these issues of supply chain and other factors responsible for improving tick resistance. Farmers buy the drugs from the market but we want to study why farmers do not get value from their acaricides,” Tumwebaze said.

The Minister encouraged publicizing authorized drug shops allowed to sell agrichemicals to the farmers.

“I want to let you know that MAAIF, working with National Drug Authority (NDA), is going to intensify through the district authorities to publicize the registered veterinary outlets and authorized drug sellers and distributors such that farmers take personal responsibility before buying the drugs,” said Tumwebaze.

“If we don’t intensify our registration and publication of authorized drug sellers, fake drugs will continue to litter the market. The low prices will lure farmers and eventually suffocate them with poor outcomes,” he added.

Hon Tumwebaze further said, in the coming days MAAIF and NDA will issue and publicize all the registered pharmacies, veterinary drug stores through mass media and social media.

“We should know the drug pharmacies and veterinary drug shops licensed such that if you buy a drug from there, and it’s not working, you are able to report and we will hold that store accountable so as to crackdown on the entire chain,” Tumwebaze emphasized.

He also threatened to de-register all veterinary drug outlets stocking fake drugs.

“If they are the type of vet doctors who go and buy anything from container village yet they are licensed, then they risk losing their licenses and suffer associated legal penalties,” Tumwebaze said.

He appealed to farmers to patiently wait for the possible solutions to the alleged fake drugs.

“Just to let you know, we have not rested, the struggle continues and we are still waiting for the committees’ report to guide us on formulating our policy and regulatory reforms that is backed by evidence from experts,” adds Minister Tumwebaze.

Hon Frank Tumwebaze confirmed that there could be fake drugs used to treat animals in Uganda.

He said that he is shocked with the rate at which farmers are reporting about fake inputs in the Uganda market.

“I want to let you know that Ministry of Agriculture has noted with concern the growing number of reports on counterfeit agricultural drugs. The problem is mainly in the veterinary sector but also to some extent in the agricultural sector and most of the drugs do not have the required levels of efficacy,” Tumwebaze explained.

However, during the Farmers’ Parliament in Kiruhura, Abiaz Rwamwiri, the Public Relations Manager National Drug Authority insisted that the authority ensures that all drugs which are on the Uganda market both human and veterinary are of good quality, safe and working well.

“What we control are either drugs manufactured here or imported, and those we are sure that by the time they are imported, we have analyzed them and they are safer and meet the standards they are supposed to be,” said Rwamwiri.

He also reported that its possible fake drugs are still being sneaked into the country through porous borders.

“It doesn’t mean that there are no issues of counterfeit because some of them actually are smuggled into the country especially through the porous borders of Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania,” says Rwamwiri.

Speaking to James Ndibajuna, the Chairman Abesigana Kashari Dairy Farmers Co-op Ltd, blamed fake drugs on government’s changes in the ministries.

“Initially all acaricides were under MAAIF but today there are some which are regulated under Ministry of Health. Do you think the health of people is equal to the health of animals? ” explains Ndibajuna.

He added that counterfeit inputs have escalated due to the private sector taking full charge of Uganda’s market.

“The government decided that this is a decentralized government, so everyone is free to bring in his drugs and manufacturers. Different companies will produce similar drugs but with a different quality,” Ndibajuna said.
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Arua Central Market authorities allocating stalls to vendors

ARUA – Market authorities of Arua Central Market have started allocating stalls and other business facilities to vendors.

Dott Services Ltd and Joadah Consults built the multibillion market at the tune of Shs34.9 billion.

The modern market will host 5,012 vendors in its lock ups, stalls, banking mall, pharmacy among others. Also the market has other supporting facilities like electricity, water, television sets, cameras and various offices.

Sam Adriko, the Head of Finance Arua City who also doubles as the Market Master and in charge of administration and resettlement of the market vendors in the new market says, they have so far registered more than 4,000 vendors.

Registration and allocation of stalls and lockups are ongoing until it has officially been launched and opened for use.

He further said, the registered vendors include; those who deal in produce, dry fish, meat, second hand clothes, general merchandise among others.

According to Adriko, upon opening for use, the market will reorganize the city especially with the numerous mini markets that have been opened within and in the outskirts of the city.

“We hope that upon official opening of the market, the city authorities will move to regulate the opening and operation of other smaller markets so that customers are allowed to transact majorly in the central market,” said Adriko.

“I want to challenge the fish traders to join the rest of the vendors in the market so that there is uniformity, adding that soon the market at OPM shall be demolished. I also call on the hawkers and vendors along the roads to immediately shift to the new market to avoid inconveniences that may arise from impounding their goods,” Adriko said.

Adomati Dickson, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (DRCC) Arua City says, the government has done its part. And now, it’s up to the vendors to utilize the market to transform their lives.

Adomati says, whereas complaints in stall allocation have already started trickling in, he advises the aggrieved persons to use peaceful methods in resolving their differences.

“We know that during allocation of facilities for vendors at the new multi billion market, complaints and concerns will arise, I want to appeal to the aggrieved people to always approach our offices and use peaceful methods to resolve their differences. We don’t want to see people fighting over spaces. It’s us to grow and fight poverty from our households,” Adomati said.

Adomati also warned city authorities against allocating stalls for themselves, and mismanaging revenues that will be collected from the market.

The Arua Central Market is expected to be officially commissioned by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. A date is yet to be announced.

https://thecooperator.news/farmers-from-newly-created-sub-counties-demand-for-govt-extension-workers/

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DPP, Lady Justice Abodo drops murder charges against Pastor

KIKUUBE – The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo has dropped the murder charges against Pastor George Baguma commonly known as Kagenyi of Bwera Miracle Church in Kyangwali sub-county, Kikuube district.

Bwera Miracle church is under the stewardship of Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre Cathedral Kampala.

The dropping of charges comes a few weeks after the residents attacked and demolished the church structure which has been under construction.

In July last year, more than 400 residents petitioned the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Amlan Tumusime demanding his intervention into what they termed as mismanagement of a murder case of one of their residents, John Turyamureba.

The residents accused Pastor Kagenyi of conniving with seven people to kill Turyamureba over unclear reasons.

The suspects included; Stephanie Uwimaana, the wife of the deceased, Twekabe James and Richard Musiguzi, sons of the deceased, Samuel Mugisha, Alloys Habineza, John Mbabazi and Jackson Tushabomwe all members of Bwera Miracle Church.

In August 21st 2021, the seven suspects were arrested; however, 6 of the suspects that included the children and their mother were released on police bond.

The residents protested their release on bond, forcing police from Kampala headquarters Kibuli to carryout fresh investigations into the matter.

As police carried out their investigations, Nickson Ahereza, handed himself to police, claiming that he killed the deceased together with the Pastor.

However, the DPP in a communication that was delivered to residents in Bwera villages by CID Officers from Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala, Pastor Kagenyi and Nicolas Ahereza were exonerated.

According to the file that was read by Daniel Mugisa who led a team of CID officers, the DPP dropped the charges due to lack of substantial evidence to pin the suspects. According to the file which was presented to the resident, Ahereza, a key witness changed his statement that he had made at first.

According Mugisa, Ahereza denied knowing anything about the murder of Turyamureba and told the detectives that he was coached to tell lies against Pastor Kagenyi by a group of people who are in land wrangles with the Pastor. Ahereza told the detectives that the group promised to give him two acres of land after accomplishing the mission.

However, before Mugisa could complete delivering the DPP’s communication, residents speaking at the top of their voices protested DPP’s decision and accused Pastor Kagenyi of bribing the officers who handled the case.

Aston Muhwezi and Kareni Nabakyala said, the residents suspected that their witness was brainwashed to change his statement. They expressed their discontent about the judgement and vowed to appeal against the ruling.

“We are protesting because from the word go, police have not been serious with their work, after handing over the report to us, we will get somebody legal, to study the report and guide us. Then we shall sit as a village and seek a way forward, ” said Muhwezi.

But RDC Tumusime warned the residents who were threatening to harm Pastor Kagenyi against taking laws in their hands and told the residents that Pastor Kagenyi and Ahereza were free to live in the village without any disturbance.

He added that the law is ready to catch up with all those who will go against the DPP’s decision and advised them to appeal instead of engaging in violence

“According to the DPP, Kagenyi has no case, he did not kill the person, I am telling you this as an RDC. If you go against this decision, you will be arrested so let me hope those with ears have heard,” the RDC warned the angry residents.

Pastor Kagenyi commended DPP for exonerating him but accused police for failing to protect him and his property. He noted that in December last year, a group of residents attacked and demolished the church, his houses and the houses of his followers and the suspects are still free in the village.

The District Police Commander (DPC) for Kikuube district, Richard Asiimwe condemned the actions of the residents adding that the police had launched investigations into the murder.

“You people, you should not think that this is Congo, this is Uganda where laws are still working, the only person who is above the law in this Country is the President, if a general, an MP can be arrested, how about you the peasant of Bwera.”

https://thecooperator.news/police-on-the-spot-over-rising-number-of-criminal-gangs-in-gulu/

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Boda-boda riders lose millions of shillings from theft of motorcycles in Gulu

GULU – In the last twelve months, more than 170 motorcycles have been stolen from Gulu West and Gulu East Boda-boda Associations.

The motorcycle taxi, commonly known as boda bodas are the main means of transportation in Uganda and employs about 1.5 million youths according to Ministry of Works and Transport.

Raymond Ocan, the Chairperson Gulu West boda-boda association told theCooperator that they have lost 135 motorcycles which is approximately worth Shs 800 million.

Ocan said, most of their members acquired these motorcycles through loans from the various microfinance institutions that are putting pressure on the association to repay the loans.

The General Secretary, Gulu East boda-boda association, Godfrey Ojok is also facing similar challenges with more than 40 motorcycles stolen from the association within one year.

Ojok said, most of his members are now borrowing the motorcycles from their colleagues to raise money to settle their loans from the financial institutions.

The intelligence report from the security revealed that most of the motorcycles being stolen from the area are mainly taken to Karamoja region.

Denis Odongpiny, the Resident City Commissioner for Gulu revealed in an interview with theCooperator on Wednesday that the thugs are exchanging the motorbikes with cattle from the region.

“We have established their networks which will help our investigation but the most important thing is that we need to improve on our personal security and be vigilant,” Odongpiny noted.

His counterpart, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Stephen Odong Latek of Gulu District described the situation as a big security concern which needs to be handled with structural approaches within the region.

The Officer incharge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for Awsa River Region, Justus Twongyeirwe noted that many of such cases were not reported to police.

However, without disclosing the number of theft related cases of motorcycles that police have recorded, he noted that no investigations by the police has been linked to Karamoja.

“Yes, we can’t overrule that from our sister security organs but as police, our investigations have not linked any of the cases to Karamoja for exchange with cattle,” Twongyeirwe explained.

Meanwhile, as the vice escalates in the area, the riders have established a regional leadership structure of a boda-boda association within Acholi sub-region to streamline their governance and operation.

Maxwell Komakech, the Chairperson Patiko sub-county Boda-boda association in Gulu district was elected the Chairperson Boda-boda Association for Acholi sub-region.

The Chairman of the Omoro district Boda-boda Association was elected as the General Secretary, Secretary Finance was taken up by Kenneth Odong from Gulu district.

Ivan Ojok from Gulu West Boda-boda Association became the Regional Speaker and Emmy Ocen from Amuru district was elected as the Publicity Secretary for the association.

The association has also established different committees which include the disciplinary for dispute resolution, enforcement team and the regional coordination team.

Francis Lubangakene, the Chairperson Gulu East Boda-boda Association who doubles as the Chairperson disciplinary committee for the regional association is hopeful that this will reduce crime rates within the association.

He revealed that the association is in the process of drafting a constitution to regulate their operation, governance system; something he says will help protect both their customers and the members.

The elections were conducted on Saturday in Gulu City at Lamaco hotel presided over by the General Secretary Gulu East Boda-boda Association Godfrey Ojok as the Returning Officer.

The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah was endorsed as the Patron of the association being supported by Rosalba Oywaa with all the Resident District Commissioners co-opted as the opinion leaders.

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Ministry of Education investigates alleged corruption at Gulu College of Health Sciences

GULU – The Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Technology has commenced investigations on alleged bribery, corruption and mismanagement of funds at Gulu College of Health Sciences.

The investigations come following a week long demonstration by the students against the new fee policy.

The Commissioner Health Education and Training in the Ministry of Education disclosed in an interview that the investigations into the allegations had kicked off.

However, she did not indicate the timeframe of the investigations but noted that the Ministry is yet to establish the facts about the matter that has disorganized the school since May this year.

“We are looking to address this problem once and for all, but what we need is to find out what has gone wrong before the school can be fully reopened,” Dr. Safinah explained.

In the new fee structures, the privately sponsored students are required to pay Shs 2.5 million, an increment of Shs 200,000 from the previous academic years.

Meanwhile, the government sponsored students are subjected to pay Shs1.6 million as opposed to Shs1.4 million in the last academic years.

The school has a population of 947 medical students; however, each student is subjected to pay Shs 200,000 for sanitizers which amount to Shs 189.4 million per semester.

The management has also levied a cost of Shs 50,000 on each student for DSTV subscription and up to Shs 47.3 million is collected from the students.

https://thecooperator.news/government-injects-shs-527m-towards-the-completion-of-two-health-facilities-in-alebtong/

Whereas the School only has two DSTV outlets, one installed in the main Campus and another in Laroo Campus whose subscription and maintenance costs the college less than Shs 5 million per semester.

The school has also continuously been collecting Shs100,000 from each student for an annual operational cost of the bus.

The school equally collects Shs 40,000 from each student and it amounts to Shs 37.88 million to pay for 6 security guards where each of them according to the pay record gets Shs180,000 as monthly salary.

While the Ministry is concerned about the accountability of the funds collected from the students, the new fees structure is also subjected to query.

In the new policy, according to the circular, the government sponsored students are required to pay Shs1.47 million which is an increment of Shs 200,000 shillings from the previous academic years.

The new fees for privately sponsored students rose from Shs 2.3 million to Shs 2.5 million, the variation that is far wider than from other medical institution and colleges.

While the new fee policy has paralysed Gulu College of Health Sciences, at Mbale College of Clinical Officers, the government sponsored students pay Shs 883,400 while private students pay Shs1.6 million.

At Fort Portal College of Health Sciences, the government sponsored students are required to pay between Shs 800, 000 to Shs 868,400 while private students pay between Shs1.8 million to Shs1.1 million for both Diploma and Certificate Courses.

However, while the school remained closed, the Acholi Parliamentary Group visited the Institution for a fact-finding mission on the numerous alleged corruption scandals at the college.

The preliminary investigations by the team have established a report on bribery and mismanagement of the funds collected from the students and the security organs are alleged to have been involved in the scandals.

The Member of Parliament for Kilak South, Gilbert Olanya, disclosed in a recent meeting that the Shs1.2 million was wired to the Security Agency to facilitate them to help put down the demonstration, the support he says was taken as bribe that the management needs to account for.

“We have enough evidence of mismanagement of the funds collected which we shall table to Parliament for resolution,” Olanya further disclosed.

John Amos Okot, the area Member of Parliament for Agago North Constituency revealed that the committee will institute investigations on the allegations.

Denis Odwong Odongpiny, the Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Gulu City has declined receiving any financial support from the college as a bribe.

“I have seen more money than what you are talking about and I don’t have any knowledge that any of the security personnel have received any money from the college for whatever reason,” Odongpiny told journalists at Northern Uganda Media Club.

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Gulu constructs new road to link farmers to South Sudan market

GULU – Gulu district is constructing a 17 km road to link farmers in Awach sub-county to a bigger market in the neighboring South Sudan.

The road worth Shs 165 million is expected to be completed in the next two months.

It will stretch from Awach-Patiko via an already existing road in Owoo sub-county to Pabbo sub county to join the Gulu-Juba highway.

Opiyo Christopher Ateke, the Gulu district Chairperson said, the district is partnering with Rhino Star Construction Company Limited to construct the road.

Opiyo said that, “Farmers have been complaining that they are spending too much money on transport to access the market in South Sudan. When the road is complete, farmers will no longer have to go through Gulu City to access South Sudan.”

“Farmers will just cross to Patiko through Pawel Angany to Pabbo then to South Sudan instead of going through Gulu City which is expensive,” he said.

Through the new road, farmers will also easily access Elegu border market which attracts traders from various neighboring countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Ethiopia among others.

Elegu, located approximately 105 kilometers north of Gulu City is an international border between Uganda and South Sudan.

https://thecooperator.news/masindi-access-roads-to-connect-farmers-to-market/

Gulu district administrative headquarters was in July 2020 relocated to Awach sub-county after Gulu Municipal Council was elevated to a city.

Public transport from Awach to Gulu City costs Shs 15,000 on a boda-boda and about Shs 10,000 in a taxi while Gulu City to Elegu border town is Shs 20,000.

Acen Agnes, a farmer in Awach sub-county says she has been afraid to venture into selling her goods at Elegu border town because of the transport costs.

“I always rely on buyers who come to our village with trucks to buy produce from farmers because I don’t want to incur more costs on transport but when this new road is completed, I will transport my goods to Elegu and also earn more money for my produce,” she said.

Acen majorly grows beans, maize and soya beans to pay school fees for her five children.

Acen is a member of Awach Improved Housing Co-operative Union.The group is currently using their proceeds from agriculture to build better housing for members.

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Parish chiefs to lead in setting agenda for community development planning

Government Chief Whip and Ruhinda Constituency Member of Parliament, Hon. Thomas Tayebwa has said, Parish Chiefs will take the lead role in designing the community development agenda under the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Previously, money would come to the district and be channelled to the sub-counties where officials would make decisions about projects in remote parishes; this is different with the parish model.

Tayebwa said, the central government expects that by giving power to local policy makers, it will shape rural economy by focusing on their competitive advantages. He said people will be making decisions themselves.

“People should know that the government has stopped giving free things. Like the Emyooga fund, where you borrow and pay back, people who will borrow money under PDM have to pay back to the community,” Tayebwa said.

Tayebwa added that just like the Emyooga fund, PDM fund is also a revolving fund that will help communities improve their household income and eradicate poverty.

Recently, about 30 legislators visited one of the model farms in Rwengaju sub-county Kabarole district belonging to Richard Nyakana, who has utilized one acre by putting up different enterprises, to learn from his success.

Tayebwa said, since this money will be controlled and revolving within the community, it should be given to people who are prepared with the already setup projects.

He said under this model, each parish will be given a minimum of Shs 100m starting the next financial year for five years.

https://thecooperator.news/ict-state-minister-cautions-ugandans-against-criticizing-the-parish-development-model-program/

“People have been complaining that we sit in Kampala and plan for them but this time you will be involved in planning. Our work now is giving you money and you plan for it,” he said.

He appealed to fellow members of parliament not to get involved in the implementation of PDM but rather do the supervision part and their involvement will be at the district level since they are ex-officials in their respective district councils.

The Member of Parliament representing Kashari North, Hon. Bazil Bataringaya said, for the PDM to be effective, in each parish there should be a model farmer/demonstration farm where others can copy from.

“As Members of Parliament, we have come from Kampala to see how Nyakana has managed to utilize one-acre piece of land by putting up different enterprises but someone from my constituency Kashari or other regions cannot manage to come here,” Hon. Bataringaya noted.

He said this will make it easy for farmers to learn from their fellows and practice it at their own farms.

Hon. Bataringaya also noted that government should also look at different enterprises for different regions or parishes where they can do well.

“Just like for Emyooga, the government should at least look at different parishes specializing in different enterprises which are within their reach. For example, one parish can deal in piggery, another one in poultry, another in cattle, like that,” he said.

He however noted that for farmers to access market, the government should ensure roads are worked on for farmers to benefit from this parish model.

“One of the pillars for this model is ensuring farmers get market for their produce and to achieve this, there should be good roads. The government may not necessarily construct tarmac roads but can do good murram roads,” he said.

Bataringaya pointed out Fort Portal-Kijura road that used to reach Nyakana’s farm, which he said is in a sorry state and yet it is used by many farmers in the area.

The Fort Portal-Kijura road connects to big tea factories in the region which Bataringaya said can make it easy for farmers to access market.

This 23Km road is an inter-district road which connects Fort Portal to Kyenjojo, Hoima and Ntoroko. The president has always talked about it while campaigning in the region but has never been worked on.

Richard Nyakana a model farmer who hosted the legislators pointed out poor road network as one of the biggest challenges hindering farmers from accessing market for their produce.

“For example, Rwengaju is the president’s model sub-county but the only main road we have is not worked on and yet most of us are farmers. How can we access the market? We have four big factories in the area but trailers have failed to pass because of bad roads,” he said.

Nyakana also appealed to the government to support farmers who already have something and give them machinery not looking at those who are starting.

Background

The 3rd National Development Plan (NDP3) has adapted the parish model as a strategy for rural social and economic transformation.

The PDM is a strategy for organizing and delivering public and private sector interventions for wealth creation and employment generation at the parish level as the lowest economic planning unit.

The parish will be the epicenter of multi-sectoral community development planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring and accountability.

The LC2 Chairperson and Parish Chief shall be responsible for political stewardship in the implementation of the parish model in their respective parishes with support from the sub-county and district technical planning committee.

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NUSAF Implementation Under Investigations

GULU – Gulu District Local Government (GDLG) has subjected all implementation of the different projects under the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) to investigations.

The implementation of the third phase of the program was a five-year World Bank funded project being implemented in the 66 districts across Northern Uganda which ended in June this year.

The program was launched in the early 2000 to help the districts across the region catch up with the rest of Uganda which then in the late 1990 enjoyed economic growth rates between 5 to 7 percent.

The different interventions aimed at fighting poverty using a combination of four factors by building the infrastructures, income generating activities, conflict management and institutional development.

However, NUSAF suffered a tainted image as a result of allegations of corruption where the government officials and the service providers were accused of embezzlement and doing sub-standard work.

With widespread complaints of accountability, the government was skeptical whether to continue with the program but Soroti’s success story became a guarantee for the second and the third phases.

At least 1,795 different projects in the implementing districts of the third phase of the program were targeted in 71,161 households according to the 2020 report by Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).

Gulu District, among other implementing districts, received Shs 9.6 billion for a total of 343 different projects reportedly implemented in the district from 2016 to June 2021.

However, as the program phased off a month ago, some of the projects which received funding had stalled and this drew concerns from the new district leaders.

Among the projects is the community access road of Shs 58 million of Rwot Obilo Health Centre III to Atiaba village and the institutional greening at Zion Nursery and Primary School worth Shs 22.1 million.

With various reports of alleged mismanagement of funds and shoddy work, the District Executive Committee (DEC) recently summoned the technocrats to respond to these allegations.

The Engineering team which was then assigned with the task of approval of the technical works in the implementation of the projects denied the approval of some of the projects but failed to name them.

Opio Ateker Christopher, the District Chairman instructed the Internal Auditor and Chief Finance Officer (CFO) to produce the audit report of the different projects, a matter that was protested by the technocrats.

Okech Goretti, the Community Development Officer (CDO) who doubles as the focal point person says the new projects had achieved their intended objectives and that there was no need for the investigations.

However, at Zion Nursery and Primary School, the fund meant for the institutional greening was diverted to fencing of the school, tree planting with a smaller portion of the compound beautified with flowers.

Okot Peter, the Chairperson Zion Nursery and Primary School Institutional Greening Project told theCooperator in an interview that the diversion of the project followed pressure from the technocrats.

Though he declined to provide more details, Opige Samuel, the secretary of the group revealed that the diversion had reduced the wage allowance of the group members.

He explained that each of the 68 members was to get Shs 82,000 paid at the end of the project but ended up with only Shs 56,000 while 15 percent was remitted to the bank as their revolving fund.

https://thecooperator.news/drainage-channel-construction-at-pece-stream-stalls/

Okia Collin, the Local Councilor II of Atyaba Parish in Bungatira sub-county commended the district leaders for instituting the investigations.

He revealed that Shs 16 million of the funds were meant for the wage allowances which was reduced to less than Shs 6 million, the variation he says needs audit and investigations.

Ongwech Balington P’ Olweny, the Gulu District Secretary Community Services blamed the incident on lack of coordination between the technocrats and the elected leaders.

“There was inflation of budgets and you could clearly see that money has gone into the wrong hands” Olweny alleged.

Preliminary investigations amounted to the arrest of two technocrats in the district and three other group members whose identities were not disclosed.

Twongyeirwe Justus, the Officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Gulu Central Police Station confirmed the arrest but declined to name the suspects.

He noted that the police were yet to open up a general inquiry file to commence the investigations of the alleged mismanagement of funds and corruption into the projects.

The third phase of NUSAF’s implementation was placed directly to contribute to the World Bank strategy of reducing poverty and to share prosperity in the northern districts.

The funds were divided into the four major components of labor-intensive public works and disaster risk financing which was allocated $ 61 million, livelihood investment support of $ 43.50 Million, Safe net mechanisms and project management $ 20.50 million, strengthening of transparency, accountability and anti-corruption was allocated $ 5 million.

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