EDITOR
The Mitooma District Council has called upon the office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to launch an investigation into the district’s engineering department over the alleged mismanagement of 1 billion Ugandan shillings from the Road Fund.
The funds were allocated for road development in the 2023-2024 financial year, but the engineering department has failed to provide an adequate breakdown of how the money was spent.
During a special district council session held on Friday and chaired by the district speaker, Moses Tumwekwatse, the council expressed dissatisfaction with the roads report presented. The report did not include a detailed breakdown of the 1 billion shillings, and the expenditure of 804 million shillings was described as extravagant, with large sums being spent on allowances and other non-essential expenses. Speaker Tumwekwatse emphasized that the lack of transparency raised serious concerns about how the funds were utilized.
Bim Douglas, the chairperson of the district’s Works Committee, added that despite several requests for accountability from the engineering department, their efforts to obtain a clear report had been unsuccessful. He stressed that the council had a responsibility to ensure that public funds were being used appropriately and that the people of Mitooma district were not shortchanged.
Benon Karyeija, the Mitooma District Chairperson, echoed these concerns and pointed out that some members of the district’s technical staff were not adhering to their duty to provide proper accountability for government resources. He vowed that once investigations are completed, those found guilty of misappropriating funds would be held accountable under the law, with appropriate actions taken to ensure justice.
The investigation by the IGG, if carried out, is expected to shed light on how the road funds were spent and whether there was any embezzlement or misuse of public money. The district council’s call for an investigation underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, especially in key sectors like infrastructure development that directly impact the well-being of the community.
