Alebtong ARDC warns against bribery in government programmes

19 October 2026, 9:49 am

By Dickens Aruca

Alebtong District — Community members in the Lango sub-region have been cautioned against offering bribes to government officials in exchange for access to public programmes, as authorities intensify efforts to combat corruption.

The warning was issued by Jimmy Okello, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) for Alebtong District, during an exclusive interview with the Radio Wa News Desk.

Okello said some residents were contributing to the growing problem of corruption by giving money to officials to benefit from government initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the restocking programme.

He explained that bribery constitutes corruption, whether money is demanded by a public official or voluntarily offered by a beneficiary seeking preferential access to government support.

The ARDC urged residents to desist from the practice, warning that bribery undermines the objectives of government programmes designed to improve household incomes and livelihoods. He added that such conduct also complicates efforts to combat corruption in the region.

Okello further emphasised that the fight against corruption should not be left solely to security agencies and other government institutions, but requires the collective involvement of all community members.

He called on residents to change their attitudes towards corruption by reporting individuals who offer bribes to officials in an attempt to benefit from government programmes.

He noted that community cooperation and a willingness to expose corrupt practices are essential to ensuring that public resources reach the intended beneficiaries without undue influence or illegal payments.

The warning highlights the need for greater public awareness, transparency and accountability in the implementation of government programmes across the Lango sub-region.

Residents are encouraged to access public services through established procedures and report suspected cases of bribery to the relevant authorities to ensure that government support reaches deserving beneficiaries fairly and equitably.