MADI OKOLLO LEADERS URGE PUBLIC SERVICE TO ADDRESS LOW STAFFING TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY.
By Victor Andama.
Madi Okollo District leaders have demanded for an affirmative action to be taken to close the wide staffing gap in the district.
During a heated discussion with the State Minister for Public Service at the district headquarters on Wednesday 1st April 2026, the Madi Okollo District Woman Member of Parliament, Joan Aniku Okia, asked the Ministry to pay an urgent attention to address the service delivery gap in the district.
“I want to draw your attention particularly to the key sectors of education, health and production. A child may be dull but if the service he/she is supposed to receive is in adequate what do you expect?” Joanne asked.
Bruno Nawoya, the Chief Administrative Officer, remarked that, the district has failed to attract staff in key positions, and requested the minister for waiver to change the acting staff to substantial positions, adding that over 180 positions remain unfulfilled hampering effective service delivery.
The Madi Okollo District Chairman, Ismail Drabe Idrisi, requested for a deliberate action to recruit staff to address low performance in some key sectors.
Drabe said that Madi Okollo was used by Arua district as dumping grounds for teachers who are drunkards.
“The education sector of Madi Okollo was killed by the then Arua District by posting only rejected, drunkards’ teachers to the then Madi County. Dear minister, Madi Okollo still needs 1,057 teachers and has only managed to recruit 800,” Andama said.
Adam Kisime Mugara, the Asst Commissioner Human Resource Management at the public service, the in charge of wage bill and pay roll at the Ministry on his part promised that, in the coming recruitment, a special consideration will be given to Madi Okollo.
Meanwhile, Mary Grace Mugasi, the State Minister for Public Service, in her response assured the district leaders of her commitment to ensuring that the staffing gap rises to 65 percent in her remaining term of office.
“My people of Madi Okollo, I need to assure you for an action not far before my term of office expires,” the Minister affirmed.
Carved out of Arua District in 2019, Madi Okollo District was meant to bring services closer to the people—but years on, that promise remains only partially fulfilled. With staffing levels in some departments estimated to be below half of the approved structure, and critical officers commuting daily from Arua City, the district continues to lose both time and resources, with multiple vehicles consuming tens of litres of fuel each day even before work begins.
The result is a cycle of delayed service delivery, overstretched frontline workers, and growing public frustration. As the district navigates its early years, the real test lies not just in filling positions, but in restoring presence, efficiency, and public trust—ensuring that decentralization delivers not just structures, but services that truly reach the people.
END.