The implementation of the government livestock restocking programme in Palabek Gem sub-county, Lamwo district, has come under scrutiny following allegations that local officials interfered with beneficiaries’ funds.

The allegations have prompted the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Komakech William, to order arrests and investigations.

At least two people have been arrested in connection with the allegations, while another parish chief is being investigated after allegedly failing to attend a meeting convened by the RDC to address complaints surrounding the programme.

Those arrested are Kidega David, the parish chief of Anaka parish, and Ayella Santos, the former LC2 chairperson of Anaka parish.

Odongtoo Patrick, the parish chief of Moroto parish, has also been placed under police investigation after reportedly failing to attend the RDC’s meeting on Tuesday.

The controversy centres on allegations that some beneficiaries of the government cattle restocking programme were denied access to part of the money they received, while local officials allegedly took control of the funds and purchased livestock or other items on their behalf.

The government restocking programme is intended to support vulnerable households to rebuild their livelihoods through livestock ownership.

Lamwo RDC Komakech William said beneficiaries are expected to use the shs5 million provided under the programme to acquire five cattle, three cows and two bulls in accordance with government guidelines.

He warned local leaders against taking possession of beneficiaries’ money or deciding how the funds should be spent.

“There is no mandate given to a parish chief to buy cattle on behalf of a family that has received restocking money,” Komakech said. He said beneficiaries should be allowed to make their own purchases and account for the livestock acquired.

The investigations followed complaints from beneficiaries who accused some local officials of taking part of their money. One of the complainants, Ocitti Richard, reportedly told authorities that Kidega David took shs2 million from the money he had received under the restocking programme.

Kidega was subsequently arrested and detained at Palabek Gem Police Post. He later reportedly returned the shs2 million to Ocitti, after which he was released.

Another complaint was raised by Apio Rose Lokwia, who reportedly alleged that Ayella Santos took money she had received under the programme and returned only shs200,000.

According to the complaint presented to authorities, Ayella was required to account for shs4.76 million allegedly taken from Apio.

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RDC Komakech directed that any money taken from beneficiaries should be recovered and returned to them. He warned that local officials or other individuals who take beneficiaries’ funds would not be allowed to benefit from the money.

The intervention has also raised questions about the conduct and availability of some parish chiefs in Palabek Gem. Anywar Dan Fred, the LC3 chairperson of Palabek Gem sub-county, said local leaders had raised concerns with the sub-county executive over allegations that some parish chiefs were not reporting to their duty stations.

He said the sub-county needed officials who were available to serve communities and implement government programmes.

The conduct of Odongto, the Moroto parish chief, is among the issues under investigation. According to information presented during the intervention, Odongto allegedly did not report to his duty station between June 2 and September 1.

He reportedly also failed to attend the meeting called by the RDC, prompting authorities to involve police in the matter.

Parish chiefs play a key role in coordinating government programmes and providing administrative services to communities at parish level, making their availability critical to programme implementation.

Questions have also been raised about how some of the restocking funds in Moroto parish were allegedly spent. Okema Kenneth, the LC1 chairperson of Lakaramar Village in Moroto Parish, alleged that a parish official took control of money belonging to a beneficiary and proceeded to purchase three cattle.

According to Okema, the three cattle were purchased and the family was given shs900,000. He also alleged that an ox-plough was purchased for dhs400,000.

However, he said part of the funds remained unaccounted for. The allegations have not been proven and are subject to police investigations.

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Authorities are expected to establish the amount of money received by the beneficiary, how it was spent, the value of the livestock purchased and whether the transactions complied with the official programme guidelines.

The investigation has also raised questions about the role of Kidega in the selection of beneficiaries.

Authorities are examining his reported involvement in the selection process in Lagura parish despite his assignment to Anaka parish.

The circumstances surrounding his involvement are expected to form part of the wider investigation into the transparency of beneficiary identification and programme implementation.

Local leaders and residents are calling for greater transparency in beneficiary selection and the management of government livelihood programmes.

The developments come as Lamwo district continues to implement the government livestock restocking intervention. In the first phase, the district registered 516 beneficiaries selected to receive support under the programme.

The initiative is designed to strengthen household livelihoods by enabling vulnerable families to acquire livestock and build sustainable household assets. The programme also requires beneficiaries to manage the animals responsibly and preserve the investment for future household benefit.

Authorities say additional phases are expected, meaning other eligible households could benefit from future interventions depending on government selection and funding.

RDC Komakech said the possibility of future phases makes it important for local leaders to protect the integrity of the programme and ensure that beneficiaries receive and control their full entitlements.

The Palabek Gem controversy has renewed calls for stronger monitoring of government programmes at parish and sub-county levels.

Authorities are expected to scrutinise beneficiary lists, payment records and livestock purchases to determine whether all selected beneficiaries received their full entitlements and whether the money was used in accordance with programme guidelines.

The investigations could also establish whether the alleged interference with beneficiary funds was limited to the cases already reported or occurred in other parishes, including Patanga, Anaka and Moroto.

For beneficiaries, the controversy highlights the need to understand programme guidelines, safeguard information relating to their entitlements and report suspected interference to the relevant authorities.

Komakech has maintained that government funds intended for vulnerable households must not be controlled by officials or other individuals without lawful authority.

The cases involving Kidega David, Ayella Santos and Odongto Patrick remain under investigation, and the allegations against them have not been proven in court.

However, the wider controversy has exposed concerns about accountability in the implementation of government livelihood programmes and whether grassroots monitoring systems are strong enough to prevent diversion, interference and abuse.

Authorities now face the task of ensuring that any money found to have been taken from beneficiaries is recovered, while those found culpable through due process are held accountable.

For the restocking programme to achieve its intended purpose, beneficiaries must retain control over their entitlements, livestock purchases must comply with government guidelines, and local officials must perform their oversight responsibilities without taking possession of beneficiaries’ funds.

The situation in Palabek Gem therefore presents a significant test of accountability at the grassroots level as Lamwo prepares for further phases of the government restocking programme.