ADJUMANI, UGANDA: A Prominent Non-Governmental Organization working in refugees’ operations in Adjumani district and other districts of the West Nile region has been faulted for massive tax evasion and failing to remit NSSF money for its staff.
According to information obtained from aggrieved staff, the management of Alliance forum development [AFOD] last submitted the NSSF money into their accounts in March last year [2021].
AFOD Uganda which mostly operates in the West Nile region has cumulatively recruited about 200 workers, 63 staff are manning the Adjumani district office another 53 employees are working in Moyo and Obongi districts, 40 have been deployed in Koboko district and 15 staffs are working in Kampala.
The organization is implementing several programs and enjoys very good relations with donors, the current program areas include; Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, General food distribution, Nutrition and Mental health.
The management of AFOD has equally been accused of nonpayment of Pay As You Earn [PAYE] tax to Uganda Revenue Authority.
This website has exclusively been informed by reliable unbiased sources that the defiant AFOD management also refused to pay local service tax to Adjumani town council since 2016.
A disgruntled staff who preferred not to be named divulged that, there is animosity at work as the management has now employed the notorious hire and fire tactics to silence those who are inquisitive.
During a telephone interview, AFOD executive director, Mr. Primo Arizi, referred the matter to the program officer, Adjumani office since the matter has not been brought to his desk.
On the local service tax, he vehemently refuted the allegation explaining that, they have been effecting payment directly to the mother local government, which is Adjumani district local which he states is consistent with the law.
The Adjumani town clerk Lagu Mr. Lagu Samuel said despite several written reminders to AFOD program office in Adjumani, the management could not fulfill their tax obligations.
Mr. Lagu Samuel said Adjumani town council is demanding AFOD huge sum of money in local service tax. “I have no other option but to institute legal action since several attempts to have the matter sorted out amicably have failed”.
AFOD is among the few visible and progressive NGOs founded by elites in West Nile, it has impacted so may lives in the refugees’ operations and offered several employment opportunities to the youth but it is now feared the once powerful NGO could be headed to downward trend due to laxity in management.
The BOARD which is composed of prominent people that includes; Minister of state for primary education, Dr. Joyce Moriku, Obongi MP Dr. Bhoka George, and Dr. Orach Mezza, a retired government worker, seem to be looking on as the top managers are mismanaging the affairs of the organization.
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