Gulu City councillors have questioned their role in the distribution of relief seeds lobbied by the Member of Parliament for Bardege-Layibi Division, warning that sidelining elected leaders could create conflict and undermine transparency in the exercise.
The concerns stem from an ongoing exercise to distribute 80,000 kilograms of maize seed secured from Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) by Bardege-Layibi Division MP Martin Ojara Mapenduzi following prolonged dry spells that left many households across the Acholi Sub-region without food and planting materials.
Although the seeds are intended to support farmers in Gulu City, councillors argue that once the consignment is handed over to the city, its distribution should be coordinated through established council structures rather than the MP’s office alone.
The issue dominated discussions during the Gulu City Council sitting held at the city yard on Thursday, July 30. Presenting the concerns of the Works and Technical Services Committee, its chairperson, Geoffrey Akena, called on Operation Wealth Creation to formally clarify whether the seeds were donated to Gulu City Council as an institution or to the MP in his personal capacity.
Akena argued that if the seeds belong to the city council, then councillors should participate in determining the selection criteria, identifying beneficiaries and overseeing distribution to avoid political disagreements.
The Female Councillor for Laroo-Pece Central, Susan Acan, questioned why beneficiary identification was reportedly being coordinated through the MP’s office while the seeds were being received by the city’s Production Department.
She expressed fears that divisions such as Laroo-Pece could be disadvantaged if elected leaders are excluded from the process, insisting that all areas of the city deserve equal consideration.
Councillor Lucy Achiro Anywar, representing Older Persons, urged colleagues not to reject the assistance but instead focus on ensuring that proper procedures are followed. She said the city should welcome the support provided that distribution is conducted transparently and in good faith.
Gulu City Mayor Julius Labeja backed the councillors’ concerns, warning that excluding elected leaders from beneficiary identification and distribution could create unnecessary confusion and tension.
He said councillors are the legitimate representatives of the communities and should therefore be involved throughout the implementation process rather than being replaced by former leaders or individuals outside the council structure.
“Where you want to involve the former councillors in the identification of beneficiaries, in the implementation and distribution of inputs, you would have an issue because the duly elected councils of that area are there; all you have to do is respect them and allow them to be part of the machine that delivers this work.”
Responding in a separate interview with Uganda Radio Network, MP Martin Ojara Mapenduzi dismissed the criticism, saying his priority is ensuring that vulnerable farmers receive the seeds regardless of political boundaries.
He argued that hunger affects all residents and should not be politicised, adding that although he represents Bardege-Layibi Division, he has worked to ensure that farmers from Laroo-Pece also benefit. Mapenduzi further explained that former councillors working in his office, together with the Town Clerk, Local Council One leaders and technical staff, are helping identify beneficiaries, although they will not take part in the actual distribution of the seeds.
The distribution programme targets 8,000 farmers from Bardege-Layibi and Laroo-Pece divisions, with each division expected to receive 40,000 kilograms of maize seed for 4,000 farmers. Priority will be given to residents in annexed areas including Patiko Abuga, Kweyo, Alokolum, Oyitino, Paminano and parts of Layibi Teko Ward. An additional 1,000 farmers are expected to receive 15 tonnes of soybean seed to support planting during the second rainy season-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
