By Richard Onapatum
In a bold move to stamp out corruption and promote good governance, Maj. Martha Asiimwe, Head of the RDC Secretariat/Anti-Corruption Unit, descended on Kotido District, conducting a thorough examination of the district’s financial management systems and service delivery mechanisms. Accompanied by Bamwine Fred, Commissioner in charge of the Karamoja region, Maj. Asiimwe’s visit marked a significant escalation in the government’s efforts to root out corruption and ensure that public resources are utilized effectively and efficiently.
The meeting, which brought together district officials, local government leaders, and other stakeholders, aimed to assess the state of service delivery in the district, with a particular focus on transparency and accountability.
Kedi Paul, the district water officer, was tasked with presenting a report on the utilization of government funds allocated for water services in Kotido District. The government allocates 400 million shillings for water services in the region, but despite this significant investment, there have been no noticeable changes in the region’s water services and notably Kotido.
Paul’s report shall be scrutinized by Maj. Asiimwe and other stakeholders, who expressed concern over the lack of progress in the region’s water services. “The government’s investment in water services is intended to improve the lives of citizens, not to enrich a few individuals,” Maj. Asiimwe said.
Francis Obita, the commercial officer, was also grilled over gaps in the implementation of the Emyooga program, a government initiative aimed at promoting economic empowerment and poverty reduction. Obita was questioned over allegations of ghost beneficiaries, where funds were disbursed to non-existent individuals or groups.
Maj. Asiimwe expressed concern over the findings, emphasizing that the Emyooga program was intended to benefit genuine and deserving beneficiaries. “The discovery of ghost beneficiaries is unacceptable and undermines the government’s efforts to promote economic empowerment and poverty reduction,” she said.
Bamwine Fred reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in the implementation of government programs. “We will not tolerate any form of corruption or mismanagement of public resources,” he said. “We will continue to monitor and evaluate the performance of district officials to ensure that they are delivering services effectively and efficiently.”
The meeting concluded with a call to action, with district officials and local government leaders pledging to work together to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in the district.
The exercise is part of the government’s broader efforts to combat corruption and promote good governance at all levels. It demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that public funds are utilized effectively and efficiently, and that services are delivered transparently and accountably.