Alebtong, Uganda – Stakeholders in Alebtong District have announced a financial reward exceeding UGX 1 million for anyone who arrests Bosco Okello, the Omoro Subcounty Chief, who has allegedly disappeared with UGX 78 million meant for road rehabilitation.
Speaking on Yite Twolo on 94.3 Radio Q FM this morning, David Kennedy Odongo, the LCV Chairperson of Alebtong District, stated that all district stakeholders, including Omoro Subcounty leadership, are searching for Bosco Okello, who vanished after allegedly misappropriating funds allocated for maintaining and rehabilitating roads.
“We are offering over a million shillings to anyone who arrests Omoro Subcounty Chief, Bosco Okello,” Odongo announced, likening the bounty to the U.S. government’s reward for the capture of Lord’s Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony.
In response to the scandal, Alebtong’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Franko Olaboro, has taken decisive action to prevent further financial losses.
Olaboro confirmed that he has written to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the District Police Commander (DPC), and other authorities, urging them to intensify the search for Okello.
“I have officially communicated with the relevant authorities to ensure that Bosco Okello is brought to justice. Additionally, I have closed the Omoro Subcounty bank account to prevent any unauthorized withdrawals,” Olaboro stated.
He further revealed that, in the absence of Okello, he has appointed Samuel Ojok, the acting Community Development Officer, to take over as the interim Subcounty Chief.
Omoro Subcounty Chairperson LCIII, Isaac Apenyo Mukwazi, provided more details about the funds in question.
According to Apenyo, the missing UGX 78 million was allocated for critical road rehabilitation projects, which were expected to improve transport and connectivity in various parts of the subcounty.
“These funds were earmarked for maintaining and rehabilitating roads including Obile-Akwani-Lum in Baya Parish, Dam-Oker-Apen-Nena in Oculukori Parish, and roads passing through Omoro Town Council,” Apenyo explained.
He expressed deep frustration over the scandal, noting that local leaders had previously engaged Okello in council meetings last year regarding the poor road network in Omoro Subcounty.
“For the last two months, we have been looking for Bosco Okello, but he remains on the run,” he added.
While Alebtong struggles to track down Okello, a similar corruption scandal is unfolding in neighboring Kole District.
Members of Parliament, in collaboration with the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), are demanding that the Kole District Engineer refund UGX 43 million, which was allegedly misused instead of being spent on road rehabilitation projects across the district.
The increasing cases of financial mismanagement in local governments have sparked concerns among residents and civil society organizations, who are calling for stronger measures to prevent corruption.
