The implementation of the Luweero-Rwenzori development program in Kabalore district has been marred by several irregularities, a new report has revealed. In 2010, government launched the Luweero-Rwenzori development program to help improve the livelihood of communities affected by the 1981-1986 NRA guerilla war and the 1996-2003 Allied Democratic Forces rebel insurgency.
In Kabalore the project was intended to benefit to benefit 105 households in 30 parishies in Bunyagabu County. In December 2011, Kabalore district council directed its committee on community development and social service to review the progress of the program. The report also shows that the committee notes that the program is being mismanaged by politicians and not benefiting the intended people.
The committee also found out that in sub counties such as Kibiito, Katebwa, Rubona and Rwimi in Bunyagabu County, which were affected by the ADF insurgency, women were left out of programme yet they are supposed to be the major beneficiaries. The report also states that some politicians especially councilors and local council chairpersons who were given the mandate to register beneficiaries, instead registered their relatives who were not supposed to be part of the programme.
Some of the beneficiaries who were left out have welcomed the findings in the report. Grace Magezi, a resident in Rubona town council says that her son volunteered to fight the ADF rebels and was killed in 2002. Magezi says when she and other women demanded for the funds, they were turned away despite the group having genuine documents.
She says now that the irregularities have been exposed, she is hopeful she will benefit from the next phase which will start next month. Christine Balinda, the chairperson of Kibiito Widows group says that the group was supposed to receive funds and start a piggery and poultry project but since the inception of programme, they have never received the money. Balinda says that since their husbands, who were the bread winners died, they need the funds to set up projects which will improve their livelihoods.
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Geoffrey Magezi, the chairperson of the community development committee says that the report will also be presented to the Ministry of Luwero Triangle. Magezi refused to comment on the fate of the people who received the funds and yet they weren’t beneficiaries. Peter Bagambaki, Kabalore Deputy Chief Administrative Officer who is in charge of monitoring the program declined to comment on the report when approached by URN.
Some of the other districts benefiting from the 540 billion shillings programme are Luwero, Lyantonde, Masaka, Bukomansimbi, Kalungu, Lwengo, Masindi and Kiryandongo. Others are Mbarara, Mityana, Mpigi, Gombe, Mukono, Buikwe, Buvuma, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Wakiso, Rakai, Sembabule and Mubende.
