Charities in Moroto urged to declare funds
Jan 16, 2008
MOROTO district authorities have asked non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the area to be transparent and declare funds used in their operations. The district chairman, Peter Ken Lochap, warned that the charities that do not comply would be asked to leave the area.
By Mike Kidon-Onyang
MOROTO district authorities have asked non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the area to be transparent and declare funds used in their operations. The district chairman, Peter Ken Lochap, warned that the charities that do not comply would be asked to leave the area.
He said most NGOs and development partners were working in isolation on pretext of developing the area yet they do not coordinate their programmes and activities with the district leadership.
Speaking recently during the district budget conference, Lochap said: “I see you driving posh cars and pretending to be busy but there is nothing on the ground to show what you are doing.
“If you refuse to declare your funds and activities, you go away and leave us with our poverty.â€
He lamented that most charities were taking advantage of Karamoja’s situation to lobby for funds from the humanitarian organisations but later use the resources to enrich themselves.
Lochap noted that most of the NGOs in the district were duplicating services especially on peace, security and HIV/AIDS yet there was no transformation in society.
“You are focusing on peace, security and conflict resolution but why have the cattle raids and killings continued in Karamoja?†Lochap asked.
The resident district commissioner, Nahman Ojwee, said some NGOs were sub-contractors and intermediaries that beg for funds from giant donor organisations to initiate programmes that fail to perform to the expectations of the communities.
The chief administrative officer, John Okolimo, said the district faced challenges of low revenue, high illiteracy, low water coverage, human rights abuse like child labour, food insecurity and famine as a result of the changing weather and persistent drought.
MOROTO district authorities have asked non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the area to be transparent and declare funds used in their operations. The district chairman, Peter Ken Lochap, warned that the charities that do not comply would be asked to leave the area.
He said most NGOs and development partners were working in isolation on pretext of developing the area yet they do not coordinate their programmes and activities with the district leadership.
Speaking recently during the district budget conference, Lochap said: “I see you driving posh cars and pretending to be busy but there is nothing on the ground to show what you are doing.
“If you refuse to declare your funds and activities, you go away and leave us with our poverty.â€
He lamented that most charities were taking advantage of Karamoja’s situation to lobby for funds from the humanitarian organisations but later use the resources to enrich themselves.
Lochap noted that most of the NGOs in the district were duplicating services especially on peace, security and HIV/AIDS yet there was no transformation in society.
“You are focusing on peace, security and conflict resolution but why have the cattle raids and killings continued in Karamoja?†Lochap asked.
The resident district commissioner, Nahman Ojwee, said some NGOs were sub-contractors and intermediaries that beg for funds from giant donor organisations to initiate programmes that fail to perform to the expectations of the communities.
The chief administrative officer, John Okolimo, said the district faced challenges of low revenue, high illiteracy, low water coverage, human rights abuse like child labour, food insecurity and famine as a result of the changing weather and persistent drought.