Residents of Kamuli District have intensified calls for accountability from civil servants, blaming poor handling of public funds and weak implementation of government programs for persistent service delivery gaps, officials observed during a public baraza.
At the forum, organised by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Kamuli District Local Government, Twaweza Uganda, and AIDS Education Group for Youth (AEGY) at the district Boma grounds, residents demanded explanations over government initiatives that appear to benefit only a few while leaving the majority with unmet needs.
They highlighted the lack of free medication in public health facilities and poorly constructed roads, especially those passing through swamps that become impassable during rainy seasons.
‘This is a total shame and an embarrassment that we have a district engineer. It is ironic and ridiculous, given the sorrowful state of our roads,’ said Ms Yokana Mirimo, a resident of Kasozi Parish in Namasagali Sub-county, drawing laughter and applause when he remarked it was his first time hearing about road engineers.
In response, District Engineer Daniel Mufumba blamed the poor state of roads on multiple challenges, including numerous swamps, an incomplete road unit, and a reduction in Indicative Planning Figures (IPFs) from Shs 1 billion to Shs300 million.
‘The IPFs were reduced by more than half, making it impossible for us to pay the road gangs who used to maintain the roads throughout the year. We therefore request that the IPFs be restored to their previous level,’ Mr Mufumba said.
He also criticised some area Members of Parliament for interfering in road costing, a process that contravenes Ministry of Works guidelines.
‘Costing of road works here in Kamuli is being done by MPs, which is a total disgrace and a misuse of taxpayers’ money,’ he said.
Kamuli District Internal Security Officer (DISO) James Kawa warned the public against being manipulated by corrupt civil servants.
‘I have seen it here not once or twice, but quite often, where embezzling officers run to the public and pay them to tarnish innocent civil servants,’ he said, adding: ‘You should not be hoodwinked by corrupt officials trying to escape justice; instead, keep up the fight against corruption head-on.’
Mr Kawa also criticised central government agencies, including OPM and the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), for their inconsistent oversight. ‘OPM officers sneak in here stealthily with their own agendas and then slip out, leaving you wondering why they continue wasting government fuel under the guise of monitoring,’ he said.
John Waiswa from Buwairama in Balawoli Sub-county decried drug stockouts and alleged extortion by clinicians at Kamuli General Hospital. ‘The daily purchase of drugs outside the hospital makes us question whether the government still stocks its facilities, despite the taxes we pay,’ he said, adding: ‘Extortion by clinical officers, especially in the maternity and pediatric wards, has also become routine, making life difficult.’
Kamuli Assistant DHO Moses Lyagoba said National Medical Stores supplies have not increased to match population growth.
‘We continue to receive the same quantity of drugs even though the population has almost doubled, making it nearly impossible to keep facilities stocked throughout,’ he explained.
Kamuli Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Lazarus Butenya acknowledged the problem of fraudulent charges but said disciplinary mechanisms are being introduced. ‘We have introduced suggestion boxes in key areas where extortion is common, and we are also working to establish telephone lines for real-time reporting by patients,’ he said.
Ms Helen Azira, Principal Research Project Officer at AEGY, highlighted the baraza’s role in strengthening citizen participation. ‘This baraza aligns strongly with Twaweza’s core mission of empowering citizens and promoting government responsiveness and accountability,’ she said.
The forum stressed a growing public demand for transparent governance and stronger oversight of civil servants, leaving officials under pressure to deliver results amid mounting scrutiny ahead of the January 2026 general elections- through which locals expect to change leadership.