Oyam District to miss UWA revenue sharing over lack of accountability

17 January 2024, 11:42 am

By Chris Woo

In a later dated 23rd of June 2023 to the Chief Administrative Officer CAO of Oyam District, Uganda Wildlife Authority demanded for the accountability of 77 million shillings which was not accounted for by the leadership of Kamdini and Oyam District.

This prompted Kamdini Sub County to forged accountability for the utilization of this 77 million shillings where among others they indicated that this money was used for the training of Scouts which was not in the guidelines, others includes commissioning of projects sponsored by UWA though UWA claimed that non of their officials was invited to attend that event plus community Sensitization and Mobilizations among others.

Speaking to Shine FM reporter recently during a telephone interview Wilson Kagoro the spoke person for Uganda Wildlife Authority incharge of Karuma conservation area revealed that Oyam District will not benefit from Revenue Sharing until this 77 million shillings is accounted for adding they have written a letter to the CAO of Oyam District and they are currently waiting for the reply.

However one of the Oyam District officials who preferred not to be identified allegedly revealed that leadership of Kamdini Sub county and some district officials of Oyam including senior Assistant secretary of Kamdini sub county Mr Walter Oceng, Geoffrey Okech who is the former SAS of Kamdini sub County, Terence Omwony the LC3 Chairman of Kamdini Sub-County fraudulently shared this money among them including the LC5 Chairman of Oyam District Hon. Benson Walter Dila Oyuku who is also on spot over allegation of receiving 10 million shillings in a corrupt manner.

In response Walter Oceng the alleged Senior Assistant Secretary of Kamadini Sub County refuted that allegation saying it is baseless because by the time UWA was sending that money, the SAS of Kamdini was Mr Okech Geoffrey adding that this issue is mud with politics.

Similarly Benson Walter Dila Oyuku the Lc5 chairman of Oyam District while addressing press at his office equally dismissed this allegation saying it is more of propaganda and politics bacause he is not the accounting officer of either Kamdini or Oyam district which leave him with no source and ground of receiving such money.

When asked about this issue Nommy Otyeno the male LC5 representing Kamdini to Oyam District Council who is also the Speaker of Oyam Local Council said he know little about Revenue Sharing because he was never invited to attend any meeting on Revenue Sharing despite the fact that this project is in his sub county.

Irene Kyelengat the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer CAO of Oyam District confirmed that Oyam district has received a letter from Uganda Wildlife Authority demanding for Accountability however she say plan is underway to hold a joint meeting with Kamdini Sub County leadership and UWA Officials to settle this matter once and for all for all calling for patientness from community of Kamdini who are currently greatly affected.