Kibaale Deputy Resident District Commissioner Godfrey Kamagara has issued a stern warning to government officials accused of corruption and beneficiaries who have defaulted on Emyooga and Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, urging them to stop the malpractice or risk arrest and prosecution.
Kamagara made the warning on Thursday evening during the Annual General Meeting of Buyanja Youth Leaders SACCO in Karuguuza Town, Kibaale District.
The meeting came ahead of Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara’s planned mobilisation and anti-corruption tour of the Bunyoro sub-region next week.
Kamagara’s warning followed concerns raised by youth leaders and beneficiaries of the Emyooga and PDM programmes over alleged mismanagement of funds, corruption and difficulties in accessing government support.
He said government would not tolerate officials who misuse public resources or frustrate intended beneficiaries of government programmes.
Kamagara warned officials implicated in corruption that they could be subjected to investigations and face arrest and prosecution if found culpable.
He also urged beneficiaries who have received Emyooga and PDM funds to fulfil their obligations and repay the money, saying government programmes are intended to improve livelihoods and create sustainable economic opportunities.
The Deputy RDC encouraged residents to report cases of corruption and misuse of government funds to the relevant authorities to enable investigations and appropriate action.
The concerns come at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to improve accountability and ensure that funds under programmes such as Emyooga and PDM reach their intended beneficiaries.
Minister Barugahara’s upcoming tour of Bunyoro is expected to focus on mobilisation, service delivery and the fight against corruption, with officials and beneficiaries likely to come under increased scrutiny over the management and utilisation of government resources.