Lamwo district leaders are seeking the reinstatement of approximately shs2 billion that was returned to the Consolidated Fund after the district failed to complete the recruitment of critical public servants before the close of the 2025/2026 financial year.
The money, initially released by the central government, was intended to facilitate the recruitment of teachers, health workers, human resource officers, education officers and other district personnel to fill longstanding staffing gaps that have affected service delivery across the district.
According to district officials, about shs1 billion had been earmarked for the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff for Padibe East Seed Secondary School, while another shs1 billion was allocated for the recruitment of staff across various district departments, including health, education and administration.
However, the recruitment exercise stalled after petitions challenging the process were submitted to the relevant authorities, preventing the district from utilizing the funds before the June 30 financial year deadline.
Lamwo district chairperson Oyet Sisto Ocen said the district had already advertised the vacant positions on March 27, 2026, and preparations for recruitment were underway before the process was halted.
“We had planned to recruit many critical staff to strengthen service delivery, but the recruitment process was delayed by petitions questioning previous recruitment exercises.
“Since the financial year ended before the process could be completed, we had no option but to return the funds to the Treasury in accordance with government regulations,” Ocen said.
He said the district leadership remains optimistic that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development will reallocate the money during the current financial year.
“We are preparing to formally request the Ministry of Finance to return the funds. Our expectation is that the money can be reinstated in either the first or second quarter of this financial year so that recruitment can proceed without further delay,” he added.
Ocen assured residents that the District Service Commission is now fully constituted and ready to conduct a transparent and merit-based recruitment process once the funds are released.
Chief Administrative Officer Chuna Moses Kapolon explained that the district complied with the Public Finance Management regulations, which require all accounting officers to surrender any unspent government funds at the end of every financial year.
“There was no legal provision allowing us to retain the money beyond June 30. Since the recruitment process had not been concluded, we were obliged to return the funds to the national treasury. Once the government reallocates the funds, we shall immediately proceed with the recruitment exercise,” Kapolon said.
He noted that filling the vacant positions remains a priority because many departments continue to operate with inadequate staffing levels.
The development has raised concern among district leaders, who say the staffing shortages continue to undermine public service delivery.
Lamwo district councillor for Katum sub-county Ocen James said the district must ensure that future recruitment exercises are completed within the required timelines.
“It is unfortunate that such a huge amount of money had to be returned when our schools, health facilities and district offices are operating with serious staffing gaps. We should address the administrative challenges that delayed recruitment so that this does not happen again,” he said.
District councillor for Potika sub-county Oryema John Apire echoed similar concerns, saying residents continue to experience shortages of teachers, health workers and other essential public servants.
“Our people expect quality services from government institutions, but that cannot happen without adequate staff. We hope the funds will be returned quickly so recruitment can begin,” Apire said.
Odongto Bosco, a resident of Padibe town council, said many health centres are struggling because of inadequate staffing.
“Patients spend many hours waiting to be attended to because there are few health workers. If more staff are recruited, services will improve and people will receive treatment on time,” he said.
Odokonyero Moses, a parent from Agoro sub-county, said schools also need more teachers to improve learning outcomes.
“Some schools have very few teachers handling many classes. Recruitment will help reduce the workload and improve the quality of education for our children,” he said.
Another resident, Acayo Mary of Madi Opei sub-county, urged the government to prioritise the district’s request. “We understand the money had to be returned because of the law, but the government should release it again because the need for workers has not changed. Our communities deserve better public services,” she said.
This is the second consecutive financial year in which Lamwo district has returned a significant amount of unspent government funds.
During the previous financial year, the district also remitted approximately shs1.4 billion to the national treasury after failing to utilise the allocation within the prescribed period.
District leaders remain hopeful that once the funds are reinstated, the long-delayed recruitment exercise will proceed and help strengthen staffing levels in education, health and other key sectors, ultimately improving service delivery for residents across Lamwo district.
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