Kapelebyong leaders accused of favouring relatives in restocking programme

The local people alleged that the names of the persons earlier on identified by the village communities as needy were deleted by some elected leaders.(Credit: Emmanuel Alomu)

Some political leaders in Kapelebyong District have been blamed by residents for allegedly deleting the names of genuine people meant to benefit from the Government restocking programme and replacing them with those of the relatives of the political leaders.

The local people alleged that the names of the eligible persons earlier on identified in the villages by communities were deleted by some elected leaders.
Agnes Akello said the name of her husband, John Robert Obileng who has epilepsy and is HIV positive was identified in the village but was allegedly omitted by the leaders.

Akello alleged that the LC5 councillor for Kapelebyong sub-county and Kapelebyong Town Council, Richard Enyagu replaced her husband's name with that of  Christine Akullo.

"Once they call out the name of Akullo Christine now, I will definitely protest and be ready to go to the police because I have never benefited from any Government programme and this was our chance," she said.
Richard Odeng Elianu, a former LC-3 Chairperson Kapelebyong sub county said the restocking program this time round was used by political leaders to reward their supporters.

According to Odeng, the original list compiled by the Community Development officer was tampered with by deleting some names and replacing them with those of the relatives of political leaders.

Residents suspect that the replacement was done during the Sub County Executive committees (SEC) and District Executive Committee (DEC) meetings.
Odeng said the residents highlighted this problem some weeks ago.

However, after people presented several petitions, the political leaders made token corrections as the wife of the LC-3 Chairperson Kapelebyong, Michael Ouno was also added to the final list of beneficiaries.

He said even the mother of the vice chairperson Kapelebyong Sub County, Patrick Egetu was getting a restocking heifer.

Jonathan Malinga said this kind of corruption should be avoided because it spoils' the name of the Government and yet a few individuals are the ones mishandling the restocking process.

This was during the distribution of 244 restocking heifers to selected needy people at Kapelebyong District headquarters on Friday.
The restocking cattle meant for 2017/2018 financial year were delivered by the office of the prime minister through Teso Affairs ministry.

Enyagu denied inserting the names of his girlfriend and mother saying, some of his opponents are spoiling his political ambition of contesting as LC-5 Chairperson for Kapelebyong District.

Enyagu said some residents  do not attend meetings, but only appear when it has reached time to collect benefit from the Government Program.
Obalanga Sub County received 49 heifers, Acowa 42, Akoromit 49, Kapelebyong 61 and Okungur got 43.

Dr. Charles Omayo the District Veterinary Officer Kapelebyong said he was surprised to learn that a new name, Simon Peter Echeru, had appeared in the final list while Obileng's name was missing.

According to Enyagu, the people who benefited are those identified by the communities when the political and technical teams are in the villages.
Ouno denied registering any of his relatives to benefit from the restocking program.
Egetu (vice LC-3 Chairperson Kapelebyong Sub County) said none of his relatives benefited although his son was recommended by the community to get a heifer under the same program.

The Interim District Chairperson Kapelebyong, Simon Erwagu suspects that the changes might have been made by either Kapelebyong town council authorities or the DEC of Amuria District.

Kapelebyong Chief Administrative Officer, Nasser Mukibi said Government is implementing a lot of programs to help the people of Uganda live better lives; therefore they should  join these programmes.