NRM officials in Lamwo on spot for alleged embezzlement of campaign money

Lamwo, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT | A section of Sub County National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chairpersons in Lamwo district are being investigated over the alleged theft of campaign money. 

The funds were part of the 230 Million Shillings that was delivered to the district by the NRM secretariat to facilitate party officials in mobilizing support for their presidential candidate and party flag bearers. 

Each of the 523 villages in Lamwo district was supposed to receive 300,000 Shillings, while the district youth league members 26.4 million shillings, older persons received 9.4 million Shillings, Persons with disabilities got 6.3 Million, workers league 2.2million and 26.4 million shillings meant for women league members. 

The Lamwo County MP also Relief and Disaster Preparedness Minister Hillary Onek Obaloker who was spearheading the mobilization in the districts of Agago, Pader, Kitgum and Lamwo says that he has received complaints from the beneficiaries over inconsistencies in the amount of money they received. 

According to Onek, investigations from the areas of Palabek Kal, Palabek Gem and Lokung Sub Counties indicate that the money wasn’t delivered to the beneficiaries while others received less than the actual amount. 

It is alleged that some of the sub-county NRM chairpersons who were tasked to deliver the funds to their village counterparts forced the beneficiaries to sign for 300,000 shillings even after being offered less money without any clear explanations. 

Onek has now called for the intervention of the office of the Resident District Commissioner and that of the police to institute investigations against the party officials suspected to have swindled part of the money.   

The Lawmo NRM party administrative secretary Ochieng David Ocan refuted having received any such complaints since as an accounting officer the funds were not delivered through the party branch offices. 

James Nabinson Kidega, the Lamwo Resident District Commissioner says that investigations into the matter have commenced investigations into the matter. He says that those implicated in will be asked to refund the money or risk disciplinary action. 

********

URN