The Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Lira City, Lawrence Emmy Egole, has successfully recovered Shs500,000 that had been unlawfully taken from an elderly beneficiary of the Government’s Restocking programme, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting beneficiaries from corruption and extortion.
The money was recovered from Adupa Denis, a member of the Parish Development Committee (PDC) of Blue Corner Ward in Lira City West Division. During investigations conducted by the Office of the RCC, Adupa confessed that he had received Shs500,000 from Akullu Sijaria of Blue Corner North. The money had allegedly been taken from the Shs5 million that the beneficiaries received from the Office of the Prime Minister under the government’s restocking programme.
Adupa further admitted that he acted under the directives of the LCII Chairperson, Mr. Bongomin. Following extensive community engagement and investigations by the RCC’s office, Adupa was directed to refund the money to its rightful owner.
The refund was made at the office of the RCC in the presence of the LCI Chairperson, Town Agent Alum Teddy, RCC Lawrence Emmy Egole, and his assistants Bonny Otucu and Bonny Ferdinand Okello Alele. Akullu Sijaria received her Shs500,000 in full and was advised by the commissioners to utilize the funds for the intended purpose of improving her livelihood.
Addressing the community after the recovery, RCC Lawrence Emmy Egole issued a stern warning to Adupa Denis, the Town Agent, and other local leaders against engaging in acts of extortion and abuse of office.
“No one will escape the long arm of the law. The Restocking Programme and the Parish Development Model are Presidential initiatives aimed at transforming the lives of Ugandans especially the people of Lira City. They must not be undermined by corruption or selfish interests,” the RCC emphasized.
He further warned civil servants, Parish Development Committee members, and lower local government leaders to desist from exploiting vulnerable beneficiaries, stressing that anyone found extorting money from government programme beneficiaries would face prosecution and imprisonment.
In another significant anti-corruption achievement, the Office of the RCC, led by Lawrence Emmy Egole and his team, also recovered Shs7 million that had been mismanaged by the Blue Corner PDM SACCO. The recovery underscores the RCC’s determination to safeguard public resources and ensure that government empowerment programmes achieve their intended objectives.
The recent recoveries have been welcomed by members of the community, who praised the RCC’s office for its firm stance against corruption and for restoring confidence in government initiatives. Residents expressed hope that the continued enforcement of accountability would deter those who seek to exploit beneficiaries and ensure that public funds reach the people they are intended to serve.
The Office of the RCC reiterated its commitment to working closely with the community, local leaders, and security agencies to eliminate corruption in the implementation of government programmes, emphasizing that transparency and accountability remain essential for achieving socio-economic transformation in Lira City and Uganda at large.