Lamwo: Widow withholds NRM official stamps over shs12m unpaid rent

Lamwo | A widow in Padibe town council has withheld the official stamps of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Lamwo district office due to unpaid rent of shs12 million.

The debt accumulated over a five-year period.

The office, located in Atwol A Cell, Atwol Ward in Padibe town council, has been operating in a building owned by Doreen Ongwen, a widow whose late husband had initially rented the premises to the political party.

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“In the agreement with my husband, I don’t know the exact terms, but I used to see him receiving 2.4 million shillings every year from the NRM officials,” Ongwen said.

She revealed that following her husband’s death, a hailstorm accompanied by strong winds damaged the roof of the building three years ago. Since then, the NRM officials began removing their property from the premises without settling the outstanding rent.

“The last payment I received was in 2021, which was 1.2 million shillings. Since then, I haven’t received a single coin. My roof is still not repaired, and I have nowhere to sleep. I cannot fix the roof without money, and the only hope I have left is the unpaid rent,” she lamented.

The widow added that she is currently struggling to support her three children, including paying their school fees. In a desperate attempt to recover the arrears, she decided to withhold the office’s official stamp, but her efforts have so far yielded no results.

“I am suffering. I have three children in school but no money to support them. That’s why I took their office stamp so they pay me but still, nothing has been done.”

NRM district official responds

When contacted for a response, David Ochen Ocheng, the NRM administrative secretary for Lamwo district, acknowledged the rental dispute and denied the unpaid rent but urged the widow to follow proper channels.

“We are aware of the concern raised by Mrs. Ongwen, and we sympathize with her situation. It is not true that some rent arrears have accumulated. However, the party does not condone the withholding of official property, including the office stamp, as a means of resolving disputes,” Ochen said.

He explained that the district office had been operating on limited resources and was awaiting guidance from the NRM secretariat in Kampala.

“The rent issue is on our record, and we have already communicated with the NRM national secretariat to seek support in settling the arrears. We ask Mrs. Ongwen to be patient, and we encourage dialogue so we can find an amicable solution,” he added.

He added that the issues are politically motivated to tarnish the name of the Party and the leadership of that time. Local leaders have reportedly been asked to mediate between the two parties to resolve the matter and ensure the office stamp is safely returned.

Padibe town council chairperson weighs in

Obalim Richard Omo confirmed that the matter has reached the highest levels of the party.

“The office of the NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong is fully aware of the issue and is yet to respond formally. In the meantime, the NRM district officials have no choice but to go to the widow’s home whenever they need to use the stamp for official documents,” Obalim said.

He also noted that local leaders are attempting to mediate and find a peaceful solution that does not further inconvenience either party.

With the rental dispute unresolved and the building no longer in usable condition, the NRM district office is currently at the Town council headquarter.

Community voices frustration

Members of the local community have also expressed disappointment over the situation.

“It’s embarrassing for a ruling party office to be run from someone’s sitting room because of rent issues. They should respect the widow and pay what they owe her,” said Docus Auma, a resident of Padibe.

Another resident, Opio Michael, added, “If they can’t afford rent, how can they represent the people properly? This issue has gone on for too long.”

Call for resolution

Community members and local leaders are calling on the NRM national secretariat to intervene urgently, not only to resolve the rent issue but also to restore the dignity of the party’s operations in Lamwo district.

The widow continues to wait, hoping that someone will respond with action rather than just promises.