Pader CAO warns elected leaders against stamp extortion, demands accountability

8 September 2026, 6:55 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

The newly deployed Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Pader District, Mr Peter Gidongo Wasagami, has warned newly elected local council leaders against using official government stamps to extort money from residents.

Speaking during an official entry and monitoring visit to Pajule Town Council, Wasagami emphasised that local council stamps are tools for service delivery and state security, not instruments for financial exploitation.

The engagement coincided with the formal introduction of the Neighbourhood Watch Programme, a grassroots anti-crime strategy introduced by the District Police Commander (DPC) and slated for a future district-wide rollout.

The CAO revealed that his first major assignment from the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) was to oversee a peaceful and lawful transition of power from outgoing councils to newly elected leaders.

He expressed satisfaction with the transition process across Pader District, which he said had been exceptionally smooth, with only one election petition registered across the entire district.

The CAO reminded local leaders that, as the foundation of local governance, they wield significant structural authority. Their primary responsibilities include heading local security committees and providing official verification for citizens applying for National Identification Numbers (NINs), passports, school admissions and recruitment into the UPDF, Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service.

Responding to concerns that the recent local elections had created leadership gaps, as some village officials vacated their positions to take up higher political offices, the CAO promised immediate structural intervention. He pledged to consult directly with the Electoral Commission to establish a clear roadmap for filling the vacant village positions.

The interactive session exposed significant gaps in the handover of government assets, including official stamps and mobilisation bicycles. Several leaders complained of “partial handovers”, in which outgoing officials allegedly withheld public property.

Wasagami expressed disappointment over missing handover reports in areas such as Latuturu and Gwili Parishes. He specifically questioned technical staff after learning that a parish chief identified as Jennifer had failed to prepare an official handover report.

The CAO directed the affected leaders to hold on while the district coordinates with the DPC to investigate the anomalies and ensure that all handovers are completed.

The meeting also took a critical turn when a newly elected leader expressed concerns over the security of official stamps issued by the Ministry of Local Government. The leader warned that the stamps lack advanced security features, making them vulnerable to counterfeiting by criminals who could duplicate them and implicate innocent leaders.

Wasagami commended the leader for raising the concern and promised to table the proposal for more secure stamps before senior ministry officials.

Regarding the anticipated welfare packages and salaries for local leaders, the CAO called for patience, clarifying that although the central government is reviewing their welfare packages, the district has not yet received formal authorisation to release funds.

Wasagami concluded by noting that his presence in Pajule was also part of an unannounced performance spot check. Pader District is currently conducting mock assessments for lower-level local government officials to prepare parish chiefs, Community Development Officers and town clerks for the upcoming national assessment.