Karamoja, (UG):- An uproar has arisen in the Karamoja sub-region regarding the long-awaited distribution of iron sheets which hit a snag with frustration and disappointment from the public after thousands of the building materials went missing again.
The Karamoja Resettle Initiative, under the Office of the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja was approved in December 2021 to provide the much-needed support for the vulnerable communities and reformed cattle raiders in the north-western region.
However, despite the initial excitement surrounding the distribution, NilePost reported on Friday in an exclusive investigation that the public joy quickly turned to dismay with reports emerging of significant discrepancies and missing beneficiaries from the distribution lists.
The publication, a local online newspaper reported that in Moroto District alone, over 1,600 iron sheets are not accounted for, while in Abim District, the figure exceeds 2,000, leaving many without the promised assistance.
George William Wopua, the Moroto Resident District Commissioner (RDC) told NilePost that at least “forty-one beneficiaries are missing from the distribution lists and are now on waiting lists.”
In Abim, over 2,000 intended beneficiaries are scratching their palm and feeling the emptiness in them with the District Chairperson, Mr Yuventine Omara expressing concern that frustration was boiling among the beneficiaries.
“My people have been waiting for this support for over two years, and again they have been excluded, what will I tell them?” Mr Omara said, as quoted by the publication.
In Lotisan Subcounty, there are concerns raised about the exclusion of reformed warriors who voluntarily surrendered their guns in favour of business opportunities.
Robert Akiiki, the LC3 Chairperson of Lotisan Sub County says; “I have only seen five reformed warriors on the list, the rest are business people.”
Akiiki threatened to return the iron sheets if the issue is not rectified promptly.
Leaders intervene
Responding to the mounting grievances, Mr Peter Lokeris, the minister of State for mineral development and the area MP for Chekwii County in Nakapiripirit District who is tasked with monitoring the distribution promised to investigate the matter.
He reassured residents that efforts would be made to ensure that all deserving beneficiaries receive their allocated iron sheets.
Meanwhile, Maj Gen Don Nabasa, the commander of the UPDF Third Division, has appealed for patience from the youth who returned their guns, assuring them that they will receive their allocated iron sheets in subsequent phases of the distribution.
The distribution of iron sheets, which was launched in Abim last week, was intended to address the needs of vulnerable communities and reformed cattle raiders.
However, the ongoing controversy and discrepancies in distribution highlight the challenges facing efforts to support and uplift marginalized communities in Karamoja.
Background
In December 2021, Parliament passed a supplementary budget worth Shs39 billion to support various programmes in Karamoja, including the purchase of 100,000 iron sheet pieces, and other relief items like food and goats.
The iron sheet pieces were purchased in 2022 but investigations later found that ministers and other officials had shared 14,200 of the building materials among themselves.
The State Minister for Finance (Planning) and Ntenjeru County MP, Hon Amos Lugoloobi was found to have already roofed a goat shed with the items and was arrested alongside Karamoja Affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu with her junior Agnes Nandutu.
In the aftermath of their arrest and charges, President Museveni vowed political action against the “mabaati thieves and saboteurs of economic progress”.
While their (the ministers’) charges remain dusting in the chambers of the Anti-Corruption court, it is unlikely that more pieces of iron sheets have been diverted again. It would appear more like the process is just suffering from irregularities related to the lists of the intended beneficiaries.
By the time of compiling this story, the Office of the Prime Minister, neither its officials had responded to the allegations of the missing roofing materials, yet again.
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