AMOLATAR
A section of residents in Amolatar District have accused their National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders of mismanaging funds and neglecting key community concerns during President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s campaign visit on October 1.
The President was in the district for a campaign rally at Amolatar Secondary School grounds, where local leaders were expected to present priority needs. However, the event has sparked anger over what residents described as misplaced requests and alleged financial irregularities.
The day began with a visibly low turnout of supporters wearing party regalia, which residents linked to alleged diversion of mobilisation funds. The district NRM chairperson, Kamilo Olwit, is accused of misusing money meant for purchasing T-shirts and other materials.
Further allegations were raised against the Woman Member of Parliament, Dr. Agnes Atim Apea, who reportedly received Shs10 million from the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, to facilitate refreshments during the event.
Sandra Akullo, a resident of Agikdak Sub-county, claimed that only 300 cartons of water, worth about Shs500,000, were distributed. “We knew the money was meant for soda and biscuits, but nothing was given. Where did the rest of the money go?” she asked.
Residents also expressed disappointment that their leaders failed to present critical issues to the President, including the upgrade of Amolatar Health Centre IV to a district hospital, construction of a bridge at Ocombole to address flooding, and rehabilitation of the Namasale–Dokolo road.
Scovia Akello from Abeja Sub-county said the omission of the hospital request showed the leaders’ lack of concern for public health, while Tonny Okello from Acii Sub-county described the neglect of the Ocombole floods as “a matter of life and death.”
Nalubwoyo Sub-county LC3 Chairperson, Yubu Ocen, criticised the leadership for prioritising a technical school instead of advocating for seed secondary schools in sub-counties that lack them.
Attempts to get comments from Olwit and Dr. Apea were unsuccessful by press time.
