Kole | On June 27, 2024, Minister of State for Local Government Busingye Victoria Rusoke warned Kole district leaders against corruption.
The minister issued the warning at Kole district headquarters, where she met with Members of Parliament, the RDC, the LC5 chairman and district councillors, heads of departments, LC3 chairpersons, sub-county chiefs, LC2s, and LC1 leaders.
Richard Ojok Okello, LC3 Chairperson of Kole Town Council, had previously complained that they had only received shs500,000 in local revenue from the district, rather than shs9,000,000.
When asked to explain the discrepancy, the CAO stated that shs5,500,000 was sent. However, the town clerk of Kole town council denied his bosses’ claim, insisting that they only received shs500,000.
With the contradictory statements, the Minister directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated and a report presented when she returned.
Things heated up when the Minister revealed that she had also received whistleblower information that the fuel costs for road construction in Kole district were inflated.
“I have been told that fuel budgeted for 2km can cover 20km. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit is investigating the road works in Kole district, and I will return on June 15th when their report is completed,” said the Minister.
If the findings reveal serious violations, the money will have to be refunded and action taken, she explained. The Minister also stated that she was going to Kole to provide guidance on complaints received about the district roads committee from LC5 chairman Andrew Awany, who accused Members of Parliament of owning it.
Also read: Kole North MP exposes massive rot in PDM and UWEP programmes in the constituency
She stated that her preliminary findings revealed the need for extensive sensitization of leaders. Rusoke stated that she had asked the Ministry of Works to send a team to not only verify the road work but also to educate the leaders on the guidelines for road work.
Minister Rusoke also informed the district leaders that she would hold a separate meeting with the technical staff without the political leaders to understand the reasons for Kole district’s poor performance, which was ranked 137th out of 176 administrative units with a 45% score.
She also expressed concern about the abuse of primary health care funds at health facilities, which had been reported in Opeta HCIII.
“Some political leaders put pressure on the health centres for allowances from their PHC funds resulting in their diversion. I have also been told that SACCO leaders are extorting money from beneficiaries and they are not getting the shs1,000,000 due to them,” stated the Minister.
Also read: Kole locals cautioned against continued wetland rice farming
The meeting concluded with her warning the leaders that the recent President’s strong stance against corruption will extend beyond Parliament to districts, sub-counties, and parishes.
Her return date is scheduled for July 15 and 16, when she will present the road audit findings and inspect several projects in the Kole district.
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