BALAAM’S ANTI-CORRUPTION MESSAGE RAISES HOPE IN ZOMBO

Farmers, youth and women call for greater accountability and transparency.


ZOMBO DISTRICT, WEST NILE — As Uganda’s fight against corruption continues to intensify, residents of Zombo District are expressing hope that the growing campaign for accountability will extend to the district.


Among those seeking greater scrutiny are Zombo’s tea farmers, who have raised concerns over the management of resources intended to support the local tea project.


The farmers allege that funds earmarked for the tea project were misappropriated by some influential individuals in government. They are calling for an independent and transparent investigation to establish how the funds were utilised and whether any public resources were lost.


The farmers have also raised questions about the whereabouts and current status of a tractor reportedly donated to Zombo by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to support agricultural activities.


This was confirmed by the former minister of state for Northern Uganda hon Kwiyocwiny Grace Freedom now Mp Ora County that the tractor was sold in Nwoya District,but the farmers say they deserve clear answers about the whereabout of the tractor,and also sources intended to benefit them and strengthen agricultural production in the district.


The concerns extend beyond the tea sector. Youth, women and other community members are also calling for greater transparency and accountability in government programmes, including the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) and other publicly funded initiatives.

The calls come amid strong anti-corruption remarks attributed to Hon. Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, Minister for Local Government, who has warned that leaving public office should not prevent authorities from pursuing accountability and recovering public resources where wrongdoing is established.

His message has resonated with many residents in Zombo, who say they would welcome closer scrutiny of concerns affecting farmers, youth, women and other beneficiaries of government programmes.


For Zombo, the message from the community is more especially the youths simple: they want transparency, accountability and answers.
“Hon. Dr. Balaam, Zombo is waiting for you.”