The Office of the Lira RDC has returned shs4million that was sent by President Yoweri Museveni for the families of victims involved in a road crash

The victims were returning from a presidential rally in Lira City when the crash occurred.

A group of residents of Lira District are now calling on the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to conduct a thorough investigation into the RDC’s office.

They allege that officials entrusted with these positions are abusing their power and office, actions which they say the law does not tolerate from any corrupt government official.

Peter Nam, 75, is a survivor of the incident. He’s also the NRM village chairperson from Nyom Mene village, Acelela parish, Agweng sub-county, who recounted the events to journalists.

He explained that after the President received a report that people returning from his campaign rally on January 8, 2026, had their vehicle overturned—resulting in one death and several serious injuries—he sent one million shillings to each victim to help with medical bills.

Nam stated that although each victim was supposed to receive one million shillings, the RDC of Lira district, Lillian Eyal, told him months later that the President had not sent all the money.

He expressed his surprise when, on October 15, 2026, the Speaker of Lira District Local Government, Moses Otim, approached him with a payment sheet from the Deputy RDC’s office.

Otim instructed him to fill out the form, and he finally received his one million shillings that day, eight months after the money was reportedly sent.

Another victim, Jasper Okullu Ogoo from Nang Abir village, Acelela parish, Agweng sub-county, confirmed receiving one million shillings from the district speaker.

Ogoo stated that Otim claimed he was not around when the incident happened, but decided to offer support as a leader from the same area, presenting forms from the Deputy RDC, Kia Molly.

Ogoo added that Otim did not want them to know where the money came from. He further noted that some victims, like Ogoo Celestino, received less than their full entitlement, getting only shs600,000 instead of one million.

Eveline Amaa, a survivor from Ario Omela village, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for his support towards their medication. However, she accused the RDC’s office of delaying their compensation.

She noted the matter occurred on January 8, 2026, but they only received the money on October 15, 2026, and from the District Speaker rather than the RDC’s office.

Amaa also urged the victims to forgive the RDC for the late delivery of funds.

Mary Amongi from Acan Pii village, Abala parish, Agweng sub-county, told journalists that the district NRM chairperson called them to attend the President’s campaign rally in Lira City.

On their way back, they were involved in an accident at Bar Opiro Junction where one person died on the spot. She added that she was still hospitalised on the day of the burial and that due to the accident, she lost one of her hands and can no longer dig.

The victims are now appealing to the government, through the President, for additional financial support to help them, especially with garden work.

Addressing journalists in Lira City on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Palm Garden, Lira District Woman Member of Parliament, Linda Auma, accused the RDC’s office of promoting corruption, despite its role in helping the government fight it at the district level.

This followed reports that 37 victims from Agweng sub-county, who were involved in the January 8, 2026 road accident, were each supported with shs1 million by the President.

According to Auma, four victims had not received their money since the incident. She alleged that due to pressure and the subsequent arrest of RDC Eyal by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit over the alleged misuse of government funds, the RDC sent Lira district speaker Moses Otim to deliver money to the four victims on October 15, 2026.

MP Auma added that as a leader, she will not tolerate corruption in “her district.” She expressed her dismay that the President’s representative would promote corruption against poor people.

She continued that under public standing orders, anyone under investigation should be interdicted or suspended from office, questioning why Assistant RDC Richard Okello was interdicted but Eyal was left out. “It is my right to fight for the rights of my people,” she stated.

Another allegation is that Lira RDC Lillian Eyal did not hand over another one million shillings, which was given to her by the 5th Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Keith Katungi, for the deceased’s family on the day of the burial.

Maj. Gen. Katungi confirmed to tndNews, Uganda, that he gave shs1 million to RDC Eyal.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Lira district speaker Moses Otim stated that he had nothing to say regarding the allegations raised against him by MP Auma Linda.

Deputy RDC Kia Molly, who reportedly sent Otim with the forms, told our reporter that she was in a meeting and did not have time for subsequent phone calls.