Elwelu warns Kaberamaido officials on service delivery

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The arrival of Lt Gen. Peter Elwelu at a council meeting on Wednesday in Uganda's eastern district of Kaberamaido unsettled some councillors.

But their unease soon faded after realizing the reason behind his presence.

Elwelu, the senior presidential advisor in charge of monitoring government activities in Teso and Karamoja sub-regions, had come to issue a warning to civil servants and political leaders.

Addressing them inside the district council hall, he said action will be taken against errant government officials following his warning.

Gen. Peter Elwelu while addressing on issues of service delivery to people in Kaberamaido. (Credit: Michael Onyinge)

Describing himself as a "messenger", Elwelu said the central government sends money to every district intended to deliver services to the people.

But it is a shame that some districts return money to the central government at the end of a financial year, he added.

“This is already the third quarter. You should be able to use up all the money sent and by the fourth quarter, you would be winding up with the money that the central government sends."

The presidential advisor also talked tough against corruption while serving the people, and added that civil servants should do their work without being pushed by his office or that of the resident district commissioner (RDC).

Elwelu said he will monitor the quality of the government projects implemented in Kaberamaido.

'Calm'

Henry Ddamba, the chief administrative officer (CAO) of Kaberamaido, said they are on course to implement the different government programmes.

He also said Elwelu's visit was different from previous engagements with other high-ranking officials, which included arrests over allegations of poor service delivery.

“My officers are calm today because you have not come like the others that have ever visited here”, said Ddamba.

Some in the audience could be heard saying they would have escaped from the meeting if arrests had been effected.

Last year, teams from the office of IGG and monitoring from the Office of the President visited Kaberamaido for inspection.

Acting district education officer Richard Elyebu and district commercial officer David Eyamu were arrested during the tour. They were later released after being interrogated.

Turns out that this time, Elwelu was only there to issue a warning.

“I have come to talk to you so that you get better as a messenger. Whatever happens after the messenger talking to you will have each of you answering before God."

District chairperson, Victor Rex Ekesu, said they are determined to see that they work to serve their people as long as money is sent to them in time.

RDC Linos Lotem Tumkori said they are ready to co-operate with the civil servants for better service delivery to the local people.