Residents from various sub-counties in Amolatar District are eagerly awaiting the visit of Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara, expressing readiness to expose deep-rooted corruption that has crippled service delivery across the region.
The Minister’s planned visit comes as local leaders and whistleblowers detail a litany of allegations ranging from embezzlement of road funds and health sector malfeasance to extortion in government poverty alleviation programs.
Speaking ahead of the Minister’s anticipated tour, residents from across the district’s 16 sub-counties “including Agikdak, Opali, Akwon, Abeja, Awelo, Namasale, Muntu, Aputi, Arwotcek, Acii, and Nalubwoyo” expressed frustration over what they term as systemic theft of public funds.
“We have been suffering in silence for too long. The roads are in a sorry state, yet we are told money was released,” said a resident from Agikdak Sub-county, who preferred anonymity for fear of retaliation. “We are ready to tell the Minister everything when he comes.”
Another resident from Akwon Sub-county, where parish chiefs were recently accused of extorting money from beneficiaries of government programs, added: “We want Balaam to see the rot for himself. Our health workers harass us, our roads are impassable, and our leaders are stealing the money meant for the poor.”
Residents and local leaders point to massive corruption in the roads department, alleging that despite the district receiving up to Shs 1 billion earmarked for road works, several critical roads remain unfinished.
According to a petition filed by whistleblowers, over 28 kilometers of roads “including the Odyak-Agikdak-Acengryeny, Abarikori-Awonangiro Landing Site, and Ayamawele-Akol-Lubiri roads” remain incomplete despite full cash allocations.
The district administration block, which reportedly received over Shs 1 billion in public funds, stands deserted with only concrete pillars as a stark symbol of unfulfilled contracts.
Residents also accuse health workers of harassing patients at health facilities, with a Shs 200 million children’s ward abandoned at window level and another Shs 200 million allegedly diverted from the Amai Hospital theatre project, leaving the facility stranded at roofing stage.
The situation came to a head during a recent community Baraza launched by LC5 Chairperson Morish Ogwal Omara, where residents gave him a thumbs-up and expressed excitement as several government technical staff were exposed for corruption in the Parish Development Model (PDM) and cattle restocking programs.
During the Baraza in Akwon Sub-county, allegations emerged that some sub-county chiefs and parish chiefs were extorting money and demanding sexual favors from residents seeking to benefit from government programs. Ogwal Omara ordered the immediate arrest of implicated officials and directed victims to record formal statements with police.
The LC5 Chairperson recently vowed to fight corruption and promote people-centered service delivery, revealing that his administration is developing strategies to enhance local revenue collection from the current Shs 300 million to between Shs 1.5 billion and Shs 2 billion per financial year.
Agikdak Sub-county LC5 Councillor Okao Kizito, who has been at the forefront of exposing graft, cautioned Minister Balaam against focusing only on junior officials while the masterminds of fraud remain untouched.
“How would you leave the RDC and DISO when they’re supposed to monitor and make reports?” Okao challenged the Minister, alleging that high-ranking district officers “including the Resident District Commissioner, District Internal Security Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer” connive to make good reports to Kampala while nothing is done on the ground.
Okao further raised alarm over the integrity of the recruitment system, stating: “You find that the Chief Administrative Officer is employing a junior officer to head the department when the senior is also there, which kills service delivery.”
With Minister Balaam’s visit imminent, residents across Amolatar District are hopeful that their concerns will finally be heard and that action will be taken against corrupt officials.
“We welcome the Minister with open arms. We want him to see the abandoned projects and hear our stories,” said a resident from Namasale Sub-county. “We have been failed by our leaders, but we believe Balaam can make a difference.”
Another resident from Awelo Sub-county added: “The cattle restocking program was meant to help the vulnerable—the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities, but our leaders hijacked it. We want justice.”
As the district braces for the Minister’s visit, all eyes are on Kampala, with residents demanding that the anti-corruption crackdown extends beyond junior officials to address the systemic rot that has plagued Amolatar for years.
