Adjumani, Uganda: The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Adjumani District, Mr Ocen Andrew, has dismissed allegations that he diverted a UNICEF-funded WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) project worth Shs 257 million to a privately-owned school linked to a senior government official.
The claims, made by Adjumani District NRM Chairperson Mr Akuku Charles, accuse Ocen of diverting a WASH facility intended for public schools to St. Dominic Savio Primary School, a private institution reportedly owned by Mr Koma Stephen, a commissioner in the Ministry of Local Government.
The disputed project includes two VIP latrines, a washroom, a community handwashing facility, an incinerator for girls, and a piped water system serving both the school and neighboring communities.
In a petition dated September 15, 2025, addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Mr Akuku accused the CAO of abusing office and politicizing staff transfers in favor of certain political interests.
He attached a UNICEF project document dated July 28, 2023, signed by former CAO Mr Oryono Grandfield, listing 10 government primary schools earmarked for WASH facility improvement; a list that did not include St. Dominic Savio Primary School.
“Irregular actions such as this erode public confidence in government and deny needy government schools access to improved WASH facilities,” Mr Akuku wrote. “It is against this context that I request your office to urgently withdraw CAO Ocen from Adjumani and replace him with a neutral and committed officer.”
CAO Ocen: “Allegations Are Baseless”
In an exclusive interview with DailyExpress on October 25, 2025, Mr Ocen Andrew confirmed receiving the petition but categorically denied any wrongdoing, insisting he was not in office when the initial beneficiary list was compiled and submitted to UNICEF in 2023.
“I was not the CAO of Adjumani in 2023 when the beneficiary list was generated,” Ocen said. “UNICEF single-handedly selects beneficiaries based on technical parameters. My office has no role in influencing their decision.”
Ocen explained that the UNICEF project’s education sector focal person, Mr Akuku Phillip, is responsible for compiling field data and submitting proposed beneficiary schools to the UNICEF Zonal Office in Arua through the CAO’s office.
“UNICEF is solely responsible for selection. Once approved, they communicate to the CAO and introduce the implementing contractor. In March 2025, DRACO Uganda Ltd was introduced to implement projects at St. Dominic Savio and Adjumani Central Primary Schools, both of which are progressing well,” he clarified.
UNICEF: Selection Based on Technical Criteria
A source from the UNICEF Arua Zonal Office confirmed that the selection of beneficiary schools is based on standard parameters, including refugee presence, water yield capacity, and identified sanitation gaps.
“In 2023, UNICEF received a list of 28 schools from Adjumani District Local Government for possible WASH support. The 2025 beneficiaries were chosen from that data bank,” the source said, adding that UNICEF has no complaint against CAO Ocen Andrew.
The source emphasized that UNICEF operates under a “for every child” principle, meaning all supported schools; public or private, must meet basic humanitarian and technical eligibility requirements.
Commissioner Koma Denies Influence
Mr. Koma Stephen, proprietor of St. Dominic Savio Primary School, denied the allegations, describing them as malicious and politically motivated. “It is true I have a stake in the school in question, but the claim that I influenced the CAO’s decision is false and ill-intentioned,” Koma said.
“Such allegations are meant to damage my reputation. Let an independent investigation determine the facts.”
St. Dominic Savio Primary School, located in Pakele Town Council, was established in 2013 and currently enrolls 483 learners, including 87 refugees, 44 boys and 43 girls in both early childhood and primary sections.
Efforts to reach Local Government Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya for comment were unsuccessful, but sources in the ministry said he has requested documentation from Adjumani District to verify the project’s allocation process.
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