Casual workers at Tochi Irrigation Scheme go nine months without pay

3 September 2026, 8:21 pm

By Solomon Okello

Casual workers at the Tochi Irrigation Scheme have gone nine months without receiving their wages, sparking frustration and financial hardship among staff.

The scheme employs both technical and casual workers, including security guards, plumbers and cleaners. However, casual workers have raised the strongest complaints, saying they are owed a total of Shs1.35 million.

The workers accuse management of repeatedly failing to pay their wages, leaving them struggling to meet their basic needs.

Daniel Otim, a resident of Barowoo A Village who was recruited as head of security, said he had been given a six-month contract but had not received any wages.

Similarly, Godfrey Tile of Wii Gweng B Village said officials responsible for processing payments often avoided them whenever they demanded their dues.

Tile said he had stopped working because of the financial hardship caused by the unpaid wages, which he said had also affected his family.

He described the challenges of surviving without an income, saying his household had been severely affected by the situation.

Another worker, Samuel Otim of Onyapoyere Cell in Aceno Ward, said promises made by officials, including Secretary Richard Anyuru and George Okello, had not materialised.

Otim said his children had dropped out of school because of the unpaid wages, a situation he described as deeply distressing.

Other workers, including Solomon Odoc, Atim Doris and Abanya Brian, also expressed frustration and warned that they would take action if their wages were not paid within two weeks.

They appealed to district stakeholders, the Resident District Commissioner and the Chief Administrative Officer to intervene and help resolve the matter.

Odoc specifically called on the authorities to intervene before the workers resorted to drastic measures.

In an exclusive telephone interview, Secretary Richard Anyuru acknowledged that he was aware of the outstanding wages and said a meeting had been scheduled to address the issue.

Anyuru urged the workers to remain calm as efforts were being made to resolve the matter and assured them that arrangements were underway to address the outstanding payments.