News
Soroti LC2 accused using sh5m meant for mother of six to build house
Akajo is now seeking justice following the arrest of her LC2 chairperson, Jackson Ogwaya, 50, who is accused of stealing the entire sh5 million meant for her household.
Police investigations indicate that the scheme began when Ogwaya allegedly approached Akajo and requested her national identity card, claiming he needed it to process her registration for the restocking programme. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)
By: Godfrey Ojore, Journalist @New Vision
SOROTI - When the government rolled out the restocking programme in the Teso, Lango and Acholi sub-regions, 27-year-old Betty Akajo saw it as a rare opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty that had defined much of her life.
The mother of six from Okunguro village in Oregia parish, Asuret subcounty, Soroti district, hoped to use the sh5 million grant to buy livestock and improve the welfare of her family.
Instead, the money allegedly ended up financing the construction of a permanent house for the very leader she trusted to help her access the government programme.
Akajo is now seeking justice following the arrest of her LC2 chairperson, Jackson Ogwaya, 50, who is accused of stealing the entire sh5 million meant for her household.
Police investigations indicate that the scheme began when Ogwaya allegedly approached Akajo and requested her national identity card, claiming he needed it to process her registration for the restocking programme.
According to Soroti district police commander Moses Olang, Ogwaya allegedly used the documents to swap Akajo's SIM card and register a new phone number under her identity without her knowledge.
"How he managed to swap Akajo's SIM card without her presence at the MTN office is what we are investigating. Akajo was left carrying an inactive SIM card while Ogwaya remained with the active number linked to her account," Olang said.
When the government eventually disbursed the funds, it was Ogwaya who reportedly received the notification message.
Police say he immediately travelled to town, withdrew the entire sh5 million and allegedly used the money to build a permanent iron-roofed house in the village.
For weeks, Akajo remained unaware that the money had been deposited and withdrawn.
Her suspicions grew after learning that other beneficiaries had successfully received their funds.
According to Soroti district police commander Moses Olang, Ogwaya allegedly used the documents to swap Akajo's SIM card and register a new phone number under her identity without her knowledge.
"How he managed to swap Akajo's SIM card without her presence at the MTN office is what we are investigating. Akajo was left carrying an inactive SIM card while Ogwaya remained with the active number linked to her account," Olang said.
When the government eventually disbursed the funds, it was Ogwaya who reportedly received the notification message.
Police say he immediately travelled to town, withdrew the entire sh5 million and allegedly used the money to build a permanent iron-roofed house in the village.
For weeks, Akajo remained unaware that the money had been deposited and withdrawn.
Her suspicions grew after learning that other beneficiaries had successfully received their funds.
When she confronted Ogwaya seeking an explanation, she was reportedly shocked by his response.
According to investigators, Ogwaya informed her that she was not entitled to the full amount because it was through his efforts that she had been selected for the programme.
He allegedly offered her only sh200,000 as a token of appreciation.
The response angered Akajo, who had hoped the money would transform the lives of her children.
Feeling cheated and betrayed, she sought help from her area councillor, David Agwanyi, who also serves as the speaker of Soroti District Council.
Agwanyi advised her to formally report the matter to Soroti Central Police Station, where a case of theft was registered under SD Reference 28/17/06/2026.
Akajo found the courage to pursue the case after hearing a radio news report about the arrest of another LC2 chairperson, Johnson Echau of Tubur cell in Tubur town council, who is accused of extorting sh2 million from another restocking programme beneficiary.
The report convinced her that she was not alone and that justice could still be pursued.
Police, led by DPC Olang, launched investigations and arrested Ogwaya on the morning of June 18, 2026.
According to Agwanyi, the suspect admitted to withdrawing the money.
"He told us he had served for many years as an LC2 chairperson, but did not have a permanent house. He said he wanted to take advantage of the programme to change his life," Agwanyi said.
Investigators say they are now focusing on recovering the stolen funds before the suspect is arraigned in court.
Police records indicate that on June 9, 2026, Ogwaya allegedly picked up Akajo and took her to a Wendi service point at Pearl Bank, where photographs were taken to facilitate the withdrawal process.
After the transaction, he allegedly handed her only sh200,000 and paid for her transport back home.
It was only after recounting the ordeal to her husband that the couple decided to seek help from local leaders.
For Akajo, the alleged theft represents more than the loss of money.
It is the loss of an opportunity to improve her family's future and a painful reminder that sometimes the greatest threat to poor communities comes not from strangers, but from leaders entrusted to protect them.
As police continue their investigations, residents of Oregia parish hope the case will serve as a warning to public officials who exploit government poverty alleviation programmes for personal gain.
According to investigators, Ogwaya informed her that she was not entitled to the full amount because it was through his efforts that she had been selected for the programme.
He allegedly offered her only sh200,000 as a token of appreciation.
The response angered Akajo, who had hoped the money would transform the lives of her children.
Feeling cheated and betrayed, she sought help from her area councillor, David Agwanyi, who also serves as the speaker of Soroti District Council.
Agwanyi advised her to formally report the matter to Soroti Central Police Station, where a case of theft was registered under SD Reference 28/17/06/2026.
Akajo found the courage to pursue the case after hearing a radio news report about the arrest of another LC2 chairperson, Johnson Echau of Tubur cell in Tubur town council, who is accused of extorting sh2 million from another restocking programme beneficiary.
The report convinced her that she was not alone and that justice could still be pursued.
Police, led by DPC Olang, launched investigations and arrested Ogwaya on the morning of June 18, 2026.
According to Agwanyi, the suspect admitted to withdrawing the money.
"He told us he had served for many years as an LC2 chairperson, but did not have a permanent house. He said he wanted to take advantage of the programme to change his life," Agwanyi said.
Investigators say they are now focusing on recovering the stolen funds before the suspect is arraigned in court.
Police records indicate that on June 9, 2026, Ogwaya allegedly picked up Akajo and took her to a Wendi service point at Pearl Bank, where photographs were taken to facilitate the withdrawal process.
After the transaction, he allegedly handed her only sh200,000 and paid for her transport back home.
It was only after recounting the ordeal to her husband that the couple decided to seek help from local leaders.
For Akajo, the alleged theft represents more than the loss of money.
It is the loss of an opportunity to improve her family's future and a painful reminder that sometimes the greatest threat to poor communities comes not from strangers, but from leaders entrusted to protect them.
As police continue their investigations, residents of Oregia parish hope the case will serve as a warning to public officials who exploit government poverty alleviation programmes for personal gain.