By Bazio Doreen

Adjumani District leaders have ordered a special audit into the alleged mismanagement of public funds in Ukusijoni Sub-county, following concerns raised by residents during a community accountability meeting.

The audit, expected to be completed within 14 days from Friday 30^th October 2026, will investigate the circumstances surrounding funds intended for the construction of an Askari house, routine road maintenance and a latrine.

The resolution was reached during a community Baraza held on Monday, November 2^nd, 2026, where district and sub-county leaders, technical officers, security personnel and residents reviewed the implementation of government programmes and development projects during the Financial Year 2025/2026.

The meeting also exposed concerns about outstanding Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, health infrastructure, maternal healthcare, school management, local revenue collection and community security.

While the district presented several development achievements, the discussions highlighted the gap between public investments and some of the concerns residents continue to face in accessing essential services.

PDM beneficiaries await UGX 120 million

One of the major issues requiring district intervention is the delayed disbursement of UGX 120 million under the Parish Development Model.

According to the sub-county performance report, UGX 380 million had already been disbursed to beneficiaries to support household enterprise development, while another UGX 120 million from the same allocation remained pending.

District leadership committed to following up on the outstanding funds to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the money.

Ukusijoni has 500 PDM beneficiaries, making the programme an important intervention in efforts to improve household incomes and support local economic development.

However, the outstanding disbursement raises questions about the pace of implementation and the ability of beneficiaries to access the resources intended to support their enterprises.

Health service concerns extend beyond infrastructure

Maternal healthcare emerged as another area requiring attention, with concerns raised over the availability and responsiveness of midwives during night duty.

Residents called for improvements to ensure that women arriving at health facilities in Labour receive timely assistance.

The district committed to engaging the relevant health authorities to follow up on the concerns.

At Ukusijoni Health Centre III, the performance report indicated a 15 per cent increase in facility deliveries and a four per cent reduction in malaria cases. The facility conducted 349 deliveries and attended to 15,586 outpatients during the reporting period.

Despite these reported improvements, the proposed renovation of the facility’s Outpatient Department block remains an outstanding priority.

The district resolved to follow up with the Ministry of Health on the proposed renovation.

At Maaji Health Centre II, leaders also committed to pursuing the proposed renovation of the general ward and staff quarters under the second phase of the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project.

In October 2026, Ukusijoni Health Centre was among five facilities that received portable point-of-care ultrasound machines to improve antenatal care and facilitate early detection of pregnancy complications.

The challenge now is ensuring that investments in medical equipment are matched with adequate staffing, functional infrastructure and responsive services.

School management concerns trigger investigation

At Ukusijoni Primary School, allegations of resource mismanagement and abuse of office in the nursery section prompted the formation of a select committee to investigate the concerns.

The nursery section reportedly has three teachers receiving monthly payments ranging between UGX 150,000 and UGX 170,000, alongside parental contributions of UGX 35,000.

The committee, comprising the Local Council III Chairperson, Secretary for Social Services and Gombolola Internal Security Officer, is expected to investigate the allegations and report its findings.

The investigation will be important in establishing how the nursery section is managed, how parental contributions are utilized and whether the concerns raised reflect weaknesses in financial and administrative oversight.

The allegations have not yet been established as findings of wrongdoing.

Revenue shortfall raises questions about local financing

The sub-county’s financial performance report also revealed a significant gap in local revenue mobilization.

During FY 2025/2026, Ukusijoni collected UGX 26.3 million against a projected target of UGX 76.3 million, representing approximately 34.5 per cent performance.

The sub-county received UGX 125.6 million during the financial year and utilized UGX 74.5 million, equivalent to approximately 59.3 per cent expenditure.

The figures point to challenges in both revenue mobilization and the utilization of available resources, issues that could affect the implementation of local development priorities.

In response, sub-county leadership committed to scaling up the use of the Integrated Revenue Administration System to improve revenue assessment, collection and accountability.

The district will also follow up on the assignment of a Parish Chief to Maaji to address administrative and coordination gaps.

Development achievements amid outstanding needs

The Baraza also reviewed government interventions across agriculture, infrastructure, education, water and sanitation, livestock and social protection.

Under the road maintenance programme, the sub-county received UGX 6.6 million for maintenance of 23.8 kilometers across five road sections. Payaru–Gbala Road was also rehabilitated.

In agriculture, five farmer groups received support under the National Oilseeds Project, 15,000 coffee seedlings were distributed and a soya bean demonstration garden established.

Three small-scale irrigation schemes were installed under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Programme.

A total of 740 livestock farmers were trained, while six groups were profiled for participation in the beef value chain under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project. The fisheries sector registered 285 beneficiaries.

In social protection, Amazara Disability Group, a goat-rearing enterprise in Bikeri Parish, received support through the disability grant, while 32 beneficiaries received payments under the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment programme.

In education, 45 candidates sat for the Primary Leaving Examination, registering a pass rate of 76 per cent. Two boreholes were also rehabilitated in Eribaku Village and at Gulinya Road Junction.

However, the development review also highlighted persistent social challenges, particularly teenage pregnancy, which stands at 20 per cent in the sub-county.

With a population of 66,655 spread across five parishes, the need for accessible health, education, water and livelihood services remains significant.

Security and administrative concerns

Community security also featured prominently, with residents raising concerns about increasing crime and the need for a police presence closer to the community.

Sub-county leadership committed to lobbying for land to establish a police post and making village, parish and sub-county security committees functional.

Leaders also agreed to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to address outstanding administrative boundary disputes that require peaceful resolution.

The proposed extension of electricity to the sub-county headquarters will also be followed up, including establishing the status of funds reportedly allocated for the connection. The facility currently relies on an existing solar power system.

Will the commitments translate into action?

The Ukusijoni Baraza ended with several commitments, but their value will ultimately depend on implementation and whether residents begin to see improvements in the services they rely on.

The 14-day special audit, follow-up on the outstanding UGX 120 million in PDM funds, investigations into school management concerns and action on maternal healthcare are among the immediate issues requiring attention.

A district-level PDM review meeting was also scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026, to assess programme implementation and address outstanding concerns.

For residents, the next important measure of accountability will not simply be the number of resolutions made at the Baraza, but whether responsible offices act on them and report back on the outcomes.

The meeting demonstrated the value of community participation in local governance. Sustained follow-up, transparent reporting and public access to the findings of the agreed investigations will be essential in ensuring that the commitments made translate into better service delivery in Ukusijoni.

END.