Nebbi, Uganda: The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Nebbi, Robert Abark, has vowed to arrest and prosecute district engineers and contractors accused of executing shoddy work on government projects, warning that his office will not tolerate corruption or misuse of public funds.
Abark issued the warning during the commissioning of a four-classroom block at Pawong Primary School in Jupangira Sub-county, Nebbi District, where he decried what he described as “embarrassing workmanship” that wasted taxpayer money.
“My office will have no hesitation in arresting and sending the culprits to court. This will serve as a signal to other technical staff and contractors who think they can embezzle public funds,” Abark said.
The construction of the classroom block reportedly cost the district UGX 77 million, but the RDC said he refused to officially commission the project due to visible structural defects and poor finishing that “did not reflect value for money.”
He accused the district engineering department and the contractor of conniving to defraud the government, adding that their actions undermined service delivery and betrayed public trust. “We cannot have engineers and contractors playing with government funds meant to benefit the community for their selfish gain,” Abark stressed.
District Leaders Demand Accountability
Nebbi District Chairperson Emmanuel Orombi blamed the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the engineering department for failing to enforce quality control.
“I wonder how a district engineer holding a master’s degree can work like an untrained local artisan,” Orombi said, accusing engineers of “sleeping on their job” and colluding with contractors to execute substandard works.
The LCIII Chairperson of Jupangira Sub-county, Dominic Ogenmungu, expressed disappointment, saying the poor workmanship on the Pawong Primary School project had left pupils studying under trees.
“As a community, we are so disappointed with the contractor’s performance. The classroom block must be redone because it poses a danger to learners,” Ogenmungu said.
When contacted, Nebbi Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO), Mr Mugaga Muluta, acknowledged the RDC complaints and promised that the CAO’s office would ensure the engineering department adheres to professional standards in future projects.
“We are going to hold the engineers accountable and ensure every project meets the required specifications to prevent misuse of funds,” he said.
Deputy Headteacher of Pawong Primary School, Charles Nikuma, said the school community felt let down by both the contractor and district officials. “Pawong Primary has over 825 pupils, yet most of them now study under trees because the renovated classrooms are unsafe,” he lamented.
The RDC’s directive follows growing concerns over shoddy construction works in several government projects across West Nile, prompting calls for tighter oversight and prosecution of errant contractors.
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