AMOLATAR
Two National Resistance Movement (NRM) sub-county registrars from Amolatar district were on Friday (August 15) arrested on allegations of misappropriating funds meant for local election officials.
Fred Opuc, the registrar for Agwingiri sub-county, and Denish Ogwal were arrested on the orders of the newly elected Amolatar District NRM Chairperson, Kamilo Olwit. The arrests occurred while the pair were engaged in election-related activities in a district tally room.
It is alleged that the due collected funds from the NRM district office specifically allocated to compensate parish and village registrars overseeing the ongoing election of LC3 chairpersons and councillors. However, upon retuning, they told the registrars from areas where candidates went unopposed that they were not going to be paid. This contradicted the initial allocation (equal pay) intended for all registrars performing election duties.
The aggrieved individuals reported the matter to Olwit whi swiftly acted on these serious allegations, leading to the arrests.
Further allegations revealed a pattern of past misconduct by Opuc and Ogwal. This reportedly included the misappropriation of funds previously allocated for youth leaders in various villages, which never reached the intended beneficiaries.
One other registrar from Namasale Town sub-county is reported to have gone into hiding after learning police sought his arrest for allegedly altering registrar lists.
Speaking to Parrots Media, Chairperson Kamilo Olwit called for thorough investigations, specifically naming the Nalubwoyo sub-county registrar, who is also accused of misallocating funds meant for election supervisors.
He emphasized commitment to confronting corruption head-on within the party’s ranks in the district.
“This arrest marks the beginning of our resolve to ensure every shilling meant for our electoral processes reaches its rightful recipients,” Olwit stated, signalling a tough stance against financial malpractice.
It has become apparent that multiple sub-county registrars across the country are suspected of diverting funds intended to compensate parish supervisors at 50,000 Ugandan Shillings and village supervisors at 30,000 Ugandan Shillings.
Elections analysts warn that lack of accountability and transparency on electoral funding observed in the NRM internal elections could ruin democratic processes in Uganda.
