Dokolo District Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Babra Akech, has declined to directly respond to allegations by Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Sarah Aguti Nyangkori that she has interfered with the fight against corruption in government programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Restocking.
The allegations reportedly include claims that the RDC has released suspected corruption offenders from police custody.
However, in a telephone interview with our reporter on Friday evening, Akech said she would allow her work to speak for itself, describing the accusations as baseless.
She said the people of Dokolo are witnesses to her efforts in monitoring government programmes and fighting corruption across the district.
Akech, however, welcomed the intervention of the Woman MP in efforts to fight corruption, saying such interventions are important as long as accusations are handled transparently.
She also urged leaders to appreciate positive work being done in the district, while firmly denying that she has ever released a corruption suspect from police custody.
Several residents and local leaders who spoke about the allegations defended the RDC, citing what they described as her interventions in addressing challenges affecting beneficiaries of government programmes.
Hon. Apio Harriet Hope, a District Councillor representing the people of Adeknino Sub-County, said Akech has been instrumental in helping residents raise and resolve concerns related to government programmes.
Apio said residents frequently report issues to the RDC’s office and receive responses without unnecessary delays.
She cited the recent failed election of PDM SACCO leaders in Adeknino, which she said was eventually resolved with the intervention of the RDC pointing to the recovery of PDM funds that had allegedly been sent to unintended beneficiaries as another example of the RDC’s intervention.
Apio urged leaders to avoid politicising government programmes, saying political differences should not interfere with efforts aimed at benefiting ordinary citizens.
Meanwhile, Allan Ayo, a resident of Agwata Town Council and a beneficiary who sought assistance from the RDC’s office, said he reported his case after experiencing difficulties in accessing funds under the programme.
Ayo said the RDC’s office followed up on his case, after which he eventually received the funds and started a poultry project.
Another beneficiary, 64-year-old Odongo John from Kwera Sub-County, said he had waited for a long time without benefiting from the programme before seeking assistance from the RDC’s office.
Odongo said he was informed that about UGX 1 million meant for him had been sent to another person. According to him, following the intervention of the RDC’s office, the money was recovered and credited to his account.
He said he used the funds to purchase a cow.
Richard Ocen, 49, a resident of Adeknino Sub-County, identified what he described as propaganda as one of the major challenges affecting the implementation of government programmes in the district.
Ocen said residents have faced several challenges in accessing and implementing PDM, but credited the RDC’s office with helping address some of the complaints.
He described Akech as one of the key officials involved in monitoring government programmes and said she has consistently pushed for accountability in their implementation.
The controversy comes at a time when government programmes such as PDM and Restocking remain under scrutiny in Dokolo District, with leaders and communities raising concerns over beneficiary selection, access to funds and accountability.