Police summons Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Amolatar

2 July 2024, 8:35 pm

By Ejang Sarah and Desire Ocen

Paul Mpiiwa, the Chief Administrative Officer of Amolatar district, faces allegations of abuse of office and misuse of public funds, prompting a police investigation.

Paul Mpiiwa, the Chief Administrative Officer of Amolatar district, was summoned to the Amolatar Central Police Station over allegations of abuse of office and misuse of public funds. According to the District Police Commander SP Katumba Christopher, Mpiiwa recorded a statement to assist the police with the investigation. He was later released, but the investigation continues.

Regarding the planned peaceful demonstration by disgruntled community members over the mismanagement of public funds by top district officials, DPC Katumba asserts that the police will allow the demonstration slated for Wednesday, July 3, 2024, arguing that it is a constitutional right.

Meanwhile, Felix Adupa Ongwech, the president of the Transformers Cadres Association, says that the demonstration aims to raise public awareness about grievances over the suspected abuse of office and misuse of public funds by some district officials in Amolatar.

A case of abuse of office, corruption, and misuse of public funds has been opened against the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Amolatar, Samuel Paul Mpiiwa; the Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Ongony Sylvester; the Internal Auditor, Obim Alex; the Assistant Accountant of the engineering department, Otima Samuel; the Secretary of Works, Esegu Gladys; the Secretary of Finance, Onyang Sam Peter; the chairperson of the road committee, and the district engineer, Orec Edward, at the Amolatar Central Police Station.

The allegation under case number GEF 11/2024 was reported by Felix Adupa Ongwech, President of the Transformers Cadres Association and former MP aspirant for Kioga County.

However, while monitoring the road works, a group of journalists found significant issues following the Transformers Cadres’ letter giving the CAO of Amolatar four days to account for the RTI, road fund, and road rehabilitation fund for the financial year 2023/2024. The Bangala, Katangira to Acii road, a 13.7 km stretch allocated 131 million shillings, lacked billboards, murram, offshoots, culverts, and proper elevation of the swampy areas.

Other roads that were visited, including Ayamawele, Akol, and Lubiri, also lacked billboards, leveled murram, and proper elevation in swampy areas. Only 23 culverts of 6 meters and 12 culverts of 9 meters were found on-site, out of the 28 culverts that were included in the proposed budget.

According to the report, the Etam Subcounty – Odongoyere road was documented as complete, but the actual findings on the ground showed no work had been done.

Meanwhile, Okori Peter, Local Council III Chairperson of Acii Subcounty raised concerns about whether the district acknowledges the Acii road connecting Acii, Kangaira to Bangala as completed. He highlighted the lack of fixed culverts, leveled murram, and proper offshoots, particularly in swampy areas, noting that the road becomes impassable during rainy seasons due to flooding.

Okori mentioned that they were promised in May that an excavator would be brought in to raise the swampy area, but this promise was never fulfilled. He emphasised that due to the poor state of the roads, his constituents have to travel long distances to access social services, particularly expectant mothers and school going children.

Betty who deals on chicken in Mucora and Acii said that due to the bad state of the roads, her business is affected mainly when it rains. She blamed the district authorities for failure to carry on their mandate. She blamed the district authorities for failure to carry on their mandate.

Majid, a resident of Acii and a boda boda rider, mentioned that they are forced to take longer routes such as Naveyo. However, many clients refuse to pay the higher fares they request, citing them as too expensive.