Ecweru suspends funding to Karamoja, Teso NGOs
Apr 30, 2009
THE disaster preparedness minister has called for the suspension of funding to all NGOs under the Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Programme in Teso and Karamoja sub-regions.
By Felix Osujo and Henry Moses Atol
THE disaster preparedness minister has called for the suspension of funding to all NGOs under the Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Programme in Teso and Karamoja sub-regions.
In an April 24 letter, Musa Ecweru accused some of the NGOs of lack of transparency.
He said some NGOs were using the money allocated to them to promote anti-Government activities.
The minister recommended that the bank accounts of all the NGOs be blocked until their activities are assessed.
He also ordered that all the vehicles and other properties bought by individuals using the programme funds be seized.
Ecweru said he had cautioned the programme officials in 2008 to monitor the activities of the NGOs, but not much was done.
“This letter is to request you to urgently suspend the team managing Teso and Karamoja and request for an independent team of investigators from the Police, internal security organisation and President’s office to investigate how these resources have been expended,†he said.
The programme that started in June 2008 is aimed at encouraging self reliance and rehabilitating the infrastructure in the two regions.
The Amuria LC5 chairperson, Julius Ochen, on Monday criticised the suspension of the programme activities, saying it was improper and would affect the beneficiaries.
He said some of the implementing NGOs and agencies had been doing a good job and should be allowed to continue with their activities.
THE disaster preparedness minister has called for the suspension of funding to all NGOs under the Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Programme in Teso and Karamoja sub-regions.
In an April 24 letter, Musa Ecweru accused some of the NGOs of lack of transparency.
He said some NGOs were using the money allocated to them to promote anti-Government activities.
The minister recommended that the bank accounts of all the NGOs be blocked until their activities are assessed.
He also ordered that all the vehicles and other properties bought by individuals using the programme funds be seized.
Ecweru said he had cautioned the programme officials in 2008 to monitor the activities of the NGOs, but not much was done.
“This letter is to request you to urgently suspend the team managing Teso and Karamoja and request for an independent team of investigators from the Police, internal security organisation and President’s office to investigate how these resources have been expended,†he said.
The programme that started in June 2008 is aimed at encouraging self reliance and rehabilitating the infrastructure in the two regions.
The Amuria LC5 chairperson, Julius Ochen, on Monday criticised the suspension of the programme activities, saying it was improper and would affect the beneficiaries.
He said some of the implementing NGOs and agencies had been doing a good job and should be allowed to continue with their activities.