Kotido ARDC Calls for Accountability as Audit Reveals UGX 123 Million Waste on Unused Medical Equipment

The Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Kotido, Peter Lokwi Abraham, has demanded decisive action on the findings of the Auditor General’s Report for the 2024/2025 financial year, which exposed widespread misuse of public resources.

Speaking during the dissemination of the report organised by the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition at Kotido District Hall on Thursday, Lokwi stressed that public officials must be held accountable for poor performance and mismanagement. He singled out the Human Resource Department for lacking professionalism and competence.

The audit, presented by Dr. Ayub Mukisa of the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition, revealed several irregularities including salary overpayments and underpayments, disbursement of the Parish Revolving Fund to ineligible beneficiaries, and irregularities in the construction of Rengen Seed Secondary School. Critically, medical equipment worth UGX 123 million delivered to Kamoru Health Centre during the financial year remained completely unused, representing avoidable wastage of public funds.

Kotido District Education Officer Benson Katyango highlighted teacher absenteeism as a major challenge, noting that some teachers report to Kotido, secure payroll placement, obtain loans, and then abandon their duty stations. Additionally, District Principal Internal Auditor Ochen David Aleper observed that central government-managed projects are difficult for local authorities to supervise, leading to implementation delays.

Article and image source: watchdoguganda.com