Kapchorwa officials to face Tribunal over alleged ethnic discrimination

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Kapchorwa district officials are set to appear before a tribunal on July 17 to respond to allegations of ethnic discrimination and marginalisation brought against them by the Benet community, a minority ethnic group in the region.

The directive follows a public inquiry on Thursday held at the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) offices in Kampala, where members of the Benet community accused the district leadership of neglecting their administrative and social development needs.

The tribunal ordered eight senior officials, including the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), District Education Officer (DEO), District Health Officer (DHO), District Production Officer (DPO), and District Engineer, to appear for further questioning. Also summoned are the town clerk, District Community Officer, and the Municipal Education Officer.

The inquiry was prompted by complaints from Benet elders who claim that their community has been deliberately sidelined in access to public services, employment opportunities, and local governance structures.

During the hearing, testimonies revealed that Kwoti sub-county—predominantly inhabited by the Benet—was created in 2015, approved by the Ministry of Local Government, and even received startup funding in 2021/2022. However, its operations were abruptly halted by district authorities.

Edward Twala, a 73-year-old Benet elder from Kwoti, testified that despite receiving sh31 million through Centenary Bank as operational funds for the sub-county, local government officials blocked its functionality after intervention from the newly elected Kapchorwa mayor, Timothy Mongusho.

Twala added that the mayor later issued an apology, but the damage had already been done.

“The minister for local government visited Kwoti and confirmed our sub-county’s legitimacy, yet we are still being denied the services we deserve,” Twala said.

Henry Akuson, a 68-year-old councillor from Kween parish and former acting chairperson of Kwoti sub-county, described the lack of essential services in the area.

“Five out of our seven parishes don’t have schools or health centres. Women must walk 10 miles for maternal care at a health facility that hasn’t been upgraded since 1989,” he said.

The Benet community accuses the dominant Sabiny ethnic group of monopolising leadership and decision-making positions within the district.

They point to committees like the District Public Accounts Committee and the Kapchorwa General Hospital board, where all members reportedly come from the Sabiny tribe. Even in schools, pupils from the Benet community are reportedly taught in the Sabiny language, which they say creates barriers to learning.

The tribunal, chaired by Denise Tusiime and Sr Mary Wasagali, adjourned the hearing to July 17, when the summoned officials are expected to respond to the allegations.

The Benet community is calling for the operationalisation of Kwoti sub-county, equitable service delivery, and guaranteed representation in district decision-making processes.