Written By | Jovita Hasto
Minister of local Government Balaam Barugahara addressing locals at Igorora Town Council in Ibanda district on November 10
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IBANDA
Following the visit by the Minister of State for Local Government, Mr Balaam Barugahara, to Ibanda District, attention has now shifted to the implementation of his directives, investigations into complaints raised and formal communication from the ministry.
During the visit, residents and local leaders raised concerns about bribery, job selling, land conflicts, poor service delivery, wetland encroachment and delayed infrastructure projects. The minister listened to the complaints and issued directives to security authorities, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), town clerks and mayors to follow up on the matters.
Mr Godfrey Mbetegyereize, the Ibanda Resident District Commissioner (RDC), said officials implicated in bribery and corruption allegations would be held accountable to restore efficient service delivery and security in the area.
He said several officials were expected to be interdicted following the minister's directives.
"For the betterment of this nation, our vision is very clear. The governed and the entire nation are against corruption. Therefore, we have intelligence to establish what is right and what is wrong. We are watching the space, and I believe the interdictions are going to expose such officials. In Ibanda, 30 officials were implicated by the minister, and all of them were apprehended," he said.
He added that the President had put systems in place to curb corruption, saying the district was ready to walk the talk.
"We have to walk the talk. It is not just about the pronouncements. I am very aware that since corruption affects service delivery, systems should be held accountable, and those officials must answer accordingly," he said.
Ms Eva Biira, the Chief Administrative Officer of Ibanda District, said the engagement with the minister was cordial and focused on improving service delivery.
She said the district was committed to ensuring that residents received appropriate services.
Ms Biira is the newly appointed CAO, replacing Mr Kweyamba Ruhemba, who was implicated in corruption allegations.
"We received the Honourable Minister of Local Government yesterday, November 10. What I have to say is that there are issues that came up on the side of the district and the municipality, and we have taken note of them. We are examining these issues keenly to establish whether they are genuine.
"We believe that, with the available documentation and evidence, as well as the investigative team that I understand has been left in the district, we shall be able to assess the situation and establish where matters stand so that we can serve the people better," she said.
Ms Biira urged all officials in Ibanda District Local Government to take the issues raised during Mr Balaam's corruption baraza positively, describing the criticism as constructive and potentially beneficial to the district.
"I know that the minister came with the assistance of an investigative team to address the issues that were raised. My request is that officials take the criticism positively.
"Although we appreciate the minister's pronouncements, we still have to wait for official communication from the Ministry of Local Government to guide us on the next steps. For now, we are continuing with our core mandate of service delivery. Any additional directives will be handled by the relevant government agencies, where they fall outside the mandate of the Chief Administrative Officer," she added.
She, however, noted that the district welcomed feedback from the community, particularly on issues residents were dissatisfied with, saying such feedback was important in promoting accountability, balance and transparency in service delivery.
Ms Biira also pointed out that the district had limited resources to adequately provide services in different sectors, including education. She called on the government to prioritise adequate budget allocations for various departments.
"Our ability to provide services is constrained by limited resources, while the demands are much greater than what the government can provide. Nevertheless, we intend to prioritise basic necessities to ensure that our people live better lives.
"We commit ourselves to improving service delivery in Uganda, particularly with support from the Central Government through increased resource allocation. There are also other services in the education sector at the district that require additional funding," she said.
She said schools had increasingly relied on fundraising initiatives by parents and local leaders to supplement the annual government grant of Shs311 million allocated to the district, noting that 24 per cent of the funds goes towards taxes.
Residents welcomed the minister's visit, expressing hope that it would lead to improvements in the management of public affairs, particularly regarding alleged mismanagement and land disputes.
Mr Innocent Ayebazibwe, a resident of Nyakatookye Ward in Ibanda Municipality, urged local leaders to respect and implement the minister's directives.
He said he was particularly pleased that the minister had addressed the land dispute involving Ibanda Hills, which belongs to Rukokoma Mixed Farmers Cooperative Society. He alleged that some individuals had been selling the land without the knowledge of the cooperative's members, undermining the society's development.
"I would implore the security organs in the area to ensure that the directives are implemented because some of the concerns raised were very important.
"We had an issue involving land at Ibanda Hills, which belongs to Rukokoma Mixed Farming Cooperative Society, where I am a member. The minister directed that the cooperative should retain the land.
"If this directive is not implemented, people who have been using that land might face challenges because they used to grow food there. Now we are landless and starving," he said.
Another resident, Mr Gakyaro Kasenene, said some local leaders should be removed from office because residents had not benefited from their leadership.
"We would like some leaders to be asked to leave office because people have not benefited from their leadership. Whatever they have been doing has been based on lies. Some leaders have been conniving with wealthy people to cheat the poor, whom they think cannot challenge them.
"We thank the minister for intervening, and we hope his visit will provide a solution," he said.
Mr Lawrence Twesigye, another resident, said rightful landowners should be helped to reclaim their property, noting that many people had been left landless and living in fear.
"Regarding the land conflicts that were raised, it would be better if the rightful owners got back their property because some have lived in fear after being rendered landless.
"If the minister's directives are respected, they will be able to access their land, rear animals and grow food. Some of these cases have been in court for 16 years, with the affected people still struggling to get justice," he said.
Some of the officials implicated by the minister and earmarked for interdiction are currently in police custody at Ibanda Police Station.
