Shs2.1b spent under cattle restocking programme in Kwania

Last Updated 2 hours ago by tnd News, Uganda

Kwania | The focal person for the ongoing cattle restocking programme in Kwania district has strongly refuted allegations made by some beneficiaries against parish chiefs and parish development committee leaders. 

Nicholas Akwang, the principal assistant secretary for Kwania and focal point person for the restocking program, stated that the project is progressing smoothly.

He explained that the program has so far targeted 490 selected beneficiaries out of a total population of over 50,000 residents in Kwania, with beneficiaries selected across different financial years based on government criteria.

Akwang’s statement follows complaints raised last week by beneficiaries from Abwong and Apire parishes.

They accused the parish chiefs, PDC leaders, and other local officials of extortion and deliberately omitting the names of legitimate beneficiaries who were born in those parishes.

Regarding the payment progress, Akwang explained that 421 out of the 490 targeted beneficiaries have already received the money, leaving only 69 people to wait.

He noted that Kwania district has so far received and disbursed shs2.1 billion for this exercise.

Akwang expressed optimism that the remaining individuals will receive their money within the coming week, once a team from the Ministry submits the final verified report to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

He urged the beneficiaries who have already received their funds to utilise the money properly, in line with the President’s vision to eradicate poverty among citizens.

He also advised those who have not yet received their money to remain calm, reassuring them that the government intends to pay every single cleared beneficiary.

Abraham Aturu, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kwania, told tndNews, Uganda, that his office has received more than two complaints from various parishes regarding irregularities in the restocking program.

He urged civil servants and local leaders to handle the project transparently and strictly follow the established guidelines.

Under the current financial year, the government allocated shs2.353 billion to pay the 490 beneficiaries in Kwania.

The Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Alex Kakooza, noted that a total of shs76 billion is being disbursed to beneficiaries across the Lango, Acholi, and Teso sub-regions, with each selected household receiving shs5 million.