By KT Reporter
Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) from the Acholi Sub-region have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and accountability in the implementation of government programs, warning that widespread corruption is undermining service delivery.The RDCs voiced their frustrations during a three-day retreat organized by the Office of the President at Bomah Hotel, Gulu, which kicked off on Wednesday and is expected to end on Friday. The retreat aims to build the capacity of RDCs, their deputies, assistants, and security officials in monitoring and evaluating government programs.
Top on the agenda were complaints about concealed contract documents from the central government and delays in key infrastructure projects, particularly Seed Secondary Schools whose completion deadlines are fast approaching. Nwoya RDC, Christopher Omara, cited the stalled construction of Got Apwoyo Seed Secondary School, whose Shs 2 billion contract, awarded in 2023 is due to expire in December.
“The first contractor disappeared after receiving a huge sum of money, and the second one is hardly on the ground. The project remains at ring beam level, and at the end of the year, the money will go back to the central government,” Omara said. “There’s a high level of connivance between local governments, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Local Government. This is very serious,” he added.
Agago RDC, Nabinson Nok Kidega, reported a similar situation at Wol Seed Secondary School, where construction has stalled despite payments being made to the contractor. “I recommended termination of the contract, but it was ignored. When the President’s Office disregards our reports, the local communities are the ones who suffer,” Kidega said.
Lamwo RDC, William Komakech, said corruption networks between technocrats and local officials have crippled the delivery of social and economic transformation programs. Kitgum Deputy RDC, Walter Oyoo Komakech, accused the State House Anti-Corruption Unit of failing to act on RDCs’ reports. “We submit reports, money is released for investigations, but corruption persists. Why?” he questioned.
Responding to the complaints, Meri Caroline, a Senior Assistant Secretary in the Office of the President, acknowledged gaps in the monitoring process but challenged RDCs to improve data accuracy. “You don’t even know the budgets of these schools. How can we respond to concerns without accurate data? It’s your duty to gather and submit credible figures,” she said. Felix Olum, Assistant Commissioner in the Directorate of Social Economic Monitoring and Research, directed RDCs to compile and submit their district budgets, noting that only four districts had done so. “If you don’t have the records right, you can’t monitor the funds meant to improve service delivery,” Olum warned.
Meanwhile, Hajji Yunus Kakande, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, condemned Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) for promoting corruption and urged RDCs to remain firm in monitoring government projects. “Stick to your mandate of oversight. We cannot continue losing public funds to dishonest technocrats,” Kakande said. The retreat continues today with sessions focusing on strengthening coordination between RDCs, security officials, and district technocrats to ensure effective implementation of government programs.
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