By Joshua Olomo
Kwania, Uganda | District leaders implicated in the alleged diversion of government livelihood programmes in Kwania District face arrest as authorities intensify efforts to protect beneficiaries from corruption and abuse.
The warning was issued by Kwania North County Member of Parliament James Ongu Tar during a meeting with women under the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Acut Village, Apire Parish, Aduku Sub-county.
Ongu Tar said his office had received complaints from residents alleging that some leaders and politicians diverted cattle restocking and poultry distribution projects intended for vulnerable households and instead shared the benefits among themselves.
He described the allegations as a betrayal of public trust and warned that government interventions aimed at fighting poverty must reach the intended beneficiaries.
The legislator also cautioned leaders against tampering with the distribution of hoes supplied through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), noting that the tools are expected to benefit about 48,000 households across Kwania District.
He stressed that anyone found diverting government resources would face legal action.
Kwania District LCV Chairperson George Kakoma Akacha said preliminary reports point to some LC I chairpersons, LC II chairpersons and parish chiefs as key actors in the alleged manipulation of beneficiary lists.
According to Akacha, some local leaders are accused of registering relatives and close associates to benefit from the cattle restocking programme at the expense of deserving residents.
He revealed that the district leadership, in collaboration with the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Uganda Police Force, is preparing investigations into all reported cases.
“We shall not tolerate anyone who frustrates government programmes meant to uplift our people from poverty,” Akacha said.
He added that hoes received from the Office of the Prime Minister are currently stored at the district headquarters and will soon be distributed to households across the district.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Abraham Aturu urged public servants involved in implementing government programmes to uphold transparency and accountability.
Aturu said beneficiaries identified during the initial registration exercise should be prioritized during the first phase of the cattle restocking programme, warning that officials who manipulate the process risk losing their jobs.
Meanwhile, the district focal person for cattle restocking, Nicholas Akwang, said local leaders would be instrumental in identifying deserving beneficiaries because of their close knowledge of community members.
He emphasized that beneficiary selection would follow established government guidelines to ensure fairness and prevent abuse.
The warnings come as government scales up livelihood support programmes across the country to improve household incomes and reduce poverty.
Authorities in Kwania have urged residents to report any cases of corruption or diversion of government resources to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the support.