Allegations of mismanagement of funds intended to facilitate the National Resistance Movement (NRM) grassroots elections in Lamwo district have reignited public debate over accountability within political party structures.
Local leaders and residents are calling for greater transparency in the handling of election resources.
At the center of the controversy is the NRM chairperson for Padibe West sub-county, Ochola Denis, who is being sought by police and district security officials over allegations that he failed to account for millions of shillings meant to support the party’s ongoing LCI flag bearer elections.
According to district officials, Ochola allegedly received shs2.5 million earmarked for 25 villages in Padibe West sub-county, with each village expected to receive shs100,000 to facilitate NRM LCI flag bearer activities including baraza.
He is further alleged to have received additional funds intended for women council elections and transport facilitation, bringing the total amount involved to more than shs5 million.
The allegations have drawn widespread attention in Lamwo, not only because of the amount involved but also because they come at a time when political parties are expected to demonstrate transparency and accountability during grassroots elections.
Former Padibe town council chairperson Obalim Richard Omo said complaints began emerging after village leaders reported that the expected facilitation had not reached the intended beneficiaries.
“The money was meant to support village-level election activities, but many of the beneficiaries say they never received it. That is why concerns were raised,” Obalim said.
Lamwo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) William Komakech confirmed that security agencies had launched investigations since yesterday night and were searching for the suspect.
“The President is very firm on fighting corruption and misuse of public resources. We are pursuing this matter seriously. The suspect is expected to return the money immediately, and once apprehended, he will face the law,” Komakech said.
Security officials have appealed to members of the public with information regarding Ochola’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police or security office to assist with investigations.
However, the allegations have also revived long-standing concerns about accountability in the management of political funds beyond this single incident.
One LC I chairperson from Padibe West, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, claimed that this was not the first time concerns had been raised over the handling of party resources.
“He previously collected money during preparations for President Museveni’s campaign activities in Padibe West and delayed disbursing it. This recurring behavior has frustrated many party members,” the local leader alleged.
These claims have not been independently verified, and no court has made any findings regarding the allegations.
The concerns are not limited to Padibe West alone. In neighboring Lokung East sub-county, several NRM LCI flag bearer candidates have also questioned the amount of facilitation they received.
According to Ocan David Kasisi, a resident of Lokung East, although villages were reportedly allocated shs100,000, only shs80,000 reached village structures after deductions allegedly made by some local party officials.
Others claimed they personally received only shs50,000 for campaign facilitation, an amount they described as inadequate to conduct grassroots mobilisation.
The allegations from Lokung East have yet to be officially investigated, but they have added to growing calls for greater financial accountability within local party structures.
Public reaction has been equally strong. Many residents expressed frustration on social media, arguing that allegations of corruption have become too common in local leadership.
Others questioned why accountability efforts often appear to focus on lower-level officials while more serious allegations involving influential individuals are perceived to receive less attention.
Among those commenting was Lamwo district council speaker Amone Jimmy, who called for consistency in the fight against corruption regardless of the status of those implicated.
“I don’t tolerate any form of corruption, but we should stop targeting only small people while bigger cases remain unresolved. If we are serious about fighting corruption, accountability should apply equally to everyone,” he said.
Amone also challenged investigative agencies and the media to continue following cases involving alleged misuse of public and political resources until they are conclusively resolved.
His remarks reflect a broader concern shared by governance advocates that public confidence in institutions depends not only on launching investigations but also on ensuring that cases are handled transparently and fairly.
Political analysts note that grassroots elections form the foundation of party democracy, and any perception that election resources are being diverted can undermine trust among party members.
Election facilitation funds are intended to ensure that village meetings, mobilisation activities and voting processes are conducted effectively.
When such funds fail to reach their intended beneficiaries, local officials often struggle to organise activities, while ordinary members begin questioning the integrity of party leadership.
Observers argue that stronger financial oversight, timely audits and clear reporting mechanisms would help reduce disputes surrounding election funds.
They also say party members should be empowered to demand accountability from leaders entrusted with managing financial resources.
As investigations continue, residents and party supporters are waiting to see whether authorities will recover the missing funds and establish responsibility where appropriate.
For many in Lamwo, the issue extends beyond one individual. It raises broader questions about transparency, internal accountability and public trust within political organisations, particularly at the grassroots level where citizens interact most closely with their leaders.
Police investigations remain ongoing. The allegations against Ochola Denis have not been tested in court, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Efforts by tndNews, Uganda, to obtain his response were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
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