For more than two years, Tonny Ayuli has been risking his life navigating treacherous night roads to transport critically ill patients to hospitals—yet he has not received his salary.

And when he finally spoke out at a tense public baraza on Friday, his revelation sent shockwaves through the district headquarters.

Appearing before a charged gathering convened by District Chairperson Morris Ogwal Omara, the Amolatar district ambulance driver told the audience that he was owed over shs10 million in accumulated arrears.

He admitted receiving a recent payment of shs3 million but insisted that was far from what he was entitled to.

“I have not received my salary for more than two years,” Ayuli revealed, his testimony drawing immediate sympathy from residents who pointed out that his job often involves risking his life at night to transport the sick to hospitals.

The emotional revelation angered many in attendance, who argued that Ayuli’s contributions to the community were being grossly undervalued. Some residents questioned how a frontline health worker could be abandoned by the very system he serves.

In a swift response, LC5 chairperson Ogwal Omara directed Principal Assistant Secretary Susan Acio Eyura to address the matter. Acio requested five minutes to respond, saying she was equally surprised by the development.

Acio later explained that Ayuli’s name had been struck off the payroll by the ministry due to a period when there was no vehicle for him to drive.

However, she assured the gathering that efforts are underway to resolve the issue, and Ayuli is expected to receive his appointment letter reinstating his position. She also clarified that the shs3 million he received had tax deductions.

The baraza, called to assess service delivery across Amolatar’s 16 sub-counties, also saw Chief Administrative Officer Rhoda Oroma vehemently deny allegations that she deliberately destroyed a government vehicle.

Appearing before the gathering, Oroma insisted that the driver and Deputy CAO must take responsibility for a July 29 accident.

Oroma recounted that a tyre burst while she was in the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road. She sustained back injuries and was rushed to Pope John 2 Hospital Aber for treatment, where she was ordered to take five days of bed rest.

After the tyre was changed, the driver returned the vehicle to the district and handed it over to the Deputy CAO, whom Oroma had formally assigned to handle operations during her medical leave.

She argued that since she was officially off duty when the vehicle reportedly got into another accident, the deputy and driver must answer for whatever happened afterward.

“Reports that I overturned the district vehicle are not true. The driver and the Deputy CAO are the ones answerable,” Oroma asserted.

The chairperson used the forum to issue a stern warning to civil servants who have been absconding from duty, citing a recent assessment that placed absenteeism in the district at a staggering 45 percent.

Ogwal singled out some sub-county chiefs and health workers for dodging work, a practice he said is denying the people of Amolatar essential services.

He gave startling examples of poor service delivery, including an incident in Etam town council where a security guard allegedly conducted a medical examination on a patient and wrongly told the patient they lacked blood.

In another case in Aputi, a teacher accused of inappropriate conduct with a pupil was still at the same school—a situation Ogwal described as unacceptable.

The chairperson also touched on critical issues such as road infrastructure and the PDM, urging civil servants to be accountable and prioritise the welfare of the people they serve.