The claims come amid broader allegations of electoral misconduct highlighted in a social media post by @DrBellahh, which alleges that the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, ordered the arrest of an NRM chairperson accused of selling NRM party cards for UGX 2 million and allegedly facilitating electoral malpractice.

The post further claims that the minister had been directed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to address election disputes in Kasangati.

The allegations have generated renewed debate about the integrity of electoral processes, the conduct of party officials and the need for transparency during voter registration and primary elections.
While the claims circulating on social media and those concerning the Zeu registration exercise remain allegations, they raise important questions that warrant verification by the relevant electoral and law-enforcement authorities.


Stakeholders in Zombo and elsewhere are calling for electoral processes to be conducted fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law, with any allegations of bribery, manipulation or interference subjected to proper investigation.

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.”

HON ACAMFUA RENEWS ZOMBO ROAD CALL AS HON SONGA’S LONGSTANDING PARLIAMENTARY PUSH CONTINUES

Kampala, 11 August 2026 — The long-standing campaign for the construction of the Nebbi–Goli–Paidha–Zombo–Zeu–Warr–Vurra road has received renewed attention in Parliament, with Zombo District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Topista Acamfua calling on government to make the project a priority.


Acamfua's appeal comes against the backdrop of repeated parliamentary interventions on the same road during the 11th Parliament, where former Oraa County Member of Parliament Hon. Biyika Laurence Songa consistently raised the matter and pressed government to address the poor state of the road.


During her recent contribution to the parliamentary debate, Acamfua acknowledged government interventions in education and health in Zombo but argued that the road remains one of the district's most urgent infrastructure priorities.


She said the route has been a longstanding concern for the people of Zombo and the wider Alur community, with successive government commitments yet to translate into the full construction of the road.


Acamfua also referred to the President's visit to Zombo on 11 October 2025, during which she said residents were informed that construction would commence in April 2026. She called for clarification on the status of the promised works.


The legislator further urged government to consider financing the road under any forthcoming borrowing programme, saying improved connectivity would significantly support trade, transportation and access to social services.


Concerns Over Nyagak Bridge
Acamfua also drew Parliament's attention to the condition of bridges along the route, particularly the Nyagak River Bridge, following a road accident on 23 February 2026 in which a commuter taxi plunged into the river.


She questioned whether the bridge, constructed under an older design approximately two decades ago, is adequately suited to the current volume and nature of traffic.


According to Acamfua, the route has six bridges, with two reportedly receiving attention in the neighbouring Vurra area while four bridges on the Zombo section remain unattended.


She therefore called for a comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation of the bridges alongside the proposed road construction.
The renewed parliamentary appeal highlights that the Zombo road is not a new issue in Parliament, but a longstanding infrastructure concern that has featured repeatedly during the 11th Parliament, including sustained advocacy by former Ora County MP Hon. Laurence Songa Biyika.


With the issue now being raised by the current Zombo District Woman MP, attention is once again on government to provide a clear roadmap for the road's construction and the rehabilitation of the bridges along the route.

Kawa Village Electorate Urged to Vote for NRM Flag Bearers Ahead of LCI Elections

PAIDHA, Zombo District, 24 July 2026


Residents of Kawa Village, Central Ward, Paidha Town Council, have been encouraged to support National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearers in the forthcoming Local Council I (LCI) Chairperson elections scheduled for 28 July 2026.


During an LCI Baraza, Okethwengu James urged the electorate to vote for NRM flag bearers, noting that their leadership would strengthen collaboration with government institutions, improve service delivery, and accelerate local development initiatives.


He emphasised that honesty, transparency, accountability, and integrity should remain the guiding principles for local leadership, adding that these values are essential for promoting good governance and ensuring public resources are managed responsibly.


Okethweng James further stated that the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) is committed to working hand in hand with the elected LCI leadership to combat corruption at the grassroots level. He called upon community members to support collective efforts aimed at promoting accountability and safeguarding public resources.


The message concluded with an appeal for residents to maintain peace throughout the electoral process and to participate actively in the elections on 28 July 2026 by voting for NRM flag bearers.


These sentiments were echoed by Okethwengu James who reaffirmed the importance of unity, responsible leadership, and community participation in advancing the development of Kawa Village and Zombo District .