Lira, Uganda — The leadership of Awiodyek Sub County in Lira District has decided to relocate the construction of its new headquarters, opting for a site further from the main road, after concerns about the previous construction project.
The decision comes after local leaders, led by Chairman Local Council III of Awiodyek sub county Gilbert Okwir, raised alarms about the mismanagement of funds and the questionable work done on the original foundation.
Okwir revealed that the initial project, which had been launched with a budget of 20 million Ugandan shillings, was fraught with corruption.
“If you look at the foundation they built, it’s clear that no way did 20 million go into that construction,” he said.
The shift to a new location and the restart of the construction plan is now dependent on the arrival of government funding, which Okwir said they are eagerly awaiting.
He expressed confidence that this new approach will avoid past mistakes and ensure that the new headquarters is built to proper standards.
Awiodyek, one of the sub-counties created in 2021 as part of Uganda’s administrative reorganization, has been making notable strides in various sectors.
Okwir proudly highlighted the progress in health services, citing the recent completion of a maternity unit at Alik Health Centre III, funded by the Ministry of Health.
In addition to the maternity unit, the sub-county has invested in constructing a kitchen at Alik Health Centre III.
Awiodyek has faced its share of challenges, including the unfortunate mismanagement of funds it’s mother Amach Sub County, which led to accusations of swindling the 20 million shillings allocated for construction.
Despite these setbacks, Okwir remains hopeful that Awiodyek can continue to serve as an example of progress and transparency for other newly created sub-counties.
