Over the past decade, Uganda has become a gold trading hub in the region. With lax regulations and the involvement of powerful figures, the country has earned a notorious reputation as the "epicenter of gold laundering in Africa," as J.R. Mailey, an expert on corruption at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, told the New York Times recently.
Uganda Radio Network understands that Luwa was forced to take 90 days forced leave, which commenced on December 17, 2024. The decision according to reliable information arose from the technical planning committee meeting held in late November last year following concerns over his failure to take annual leave for a long time.
On October 2, 2024, the Luwero District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) petitioned the Ministry of Finance to settle the debt, arguing that the project was executed by the Ministry of Local Government.
Sarah Nakalungi the Nakaseke District Chief Administrative Officer said that to restore sanity in the programme, the District authorities resolved to ask the Police to set up a special desk at Butalangu Central Police Station to investigate the complaints and expedite the prosecution of the officers behind the corruption.
Kwania District Senior Planner James Oling, says that although they have sensitized farmers and several have expressed interest, a large section failed to pay to access the equipment citing high costs needed for co-funding.
Hilary Aliku, Chairperson of the Works and Technical Services Committee, revealed that assessments by both the technical and political committees had justified the initial allocation of UGX 336 million, but inquiries into the increased figures met with no satisfactory explanations.
Under the different laws governing financial institutions, savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) report to the cooperatives regulator, the Uganda Microfinance regulator and in cases of SACCOs with capital above 1.5billion to Bank of Uganda, multiple centres they are weary of.
In 2021, Alwalo joined the Kasilo County Tailors Association and was among the first beneficiaries of Emyooga, a presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job creation (Emyooga) which targets to transform 68 per cent of homesteads from subsistence to market-oriented production.
Erastus Kibirango, the LC 5 Chairman of Luwero district explains that the Integrated Revenue Administration System has helped them to eliminate tax leakages and improve efficiency in collecting revenue hence an increment.
In 2022, UMRA issued operational guidelines for Self Help Groups (SHGs) which include Farmer Field Schools, Farmer Groups, Savings, and Internal Lending Communities.
Kasolo issued the directive in Kadungulu Town Council after the applicants of PDM accused Samson Emunot, the Community Development Officer (CDO) of Kadungulu sub-county, and other leaders of extortion.
Kasolo’s directive follows an outcry from PDM beneficiaries over alleged excessive charges from banking institutions while processing PDM cash. The banks have reportedly been asking PDM beneficiaries to pay money for account opening, affidavits for changing signatures, withdrawal of PDM cash at the counter while retaining more than five thousand shillings as minimum balances in each account.
Yosea Mubiru the Chairperson of Balikyejjusa roadside market says that the temporary structures are dilapidated and are on the verge of collapsing after accommodating them for 10 years.
Erastus Kibirango the LC 5 Chairman of Luwero district explains that small-scale farmers failed to access the funds and buy irrigation equipment because of conditions that include co-funding hence it was returned to the treasury for the second year.
Edwin Serebe, the town agent of Bukalasa parish says that the process of disbursing money to other applicants has been slow because an official in the district commercial office asked for a bribe of Shillings 200,000 to upload the names of the applicants on the PDM system.
Jim Mugunga, the Spokesperson in the Ministry of Finance clarified that the provided 22.6 billion Shillings read by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija last week is not just for the arrears. He says part of it will be used to fund the deployment of interns.
Luwero Resident District Commissioner, Richard Bwabye ordered the duo’s arrest following complaints from the beneficiaries. According to Bwabye, the SACCO received Shillings 58 million under the PDM program for providing loans to its members.
Yiga states that employees with arrears, including teachers, health workers, and staff in the production department, are yet to receive their pay, and the financial institutions should not act with hostility as they pressure them to clear the loans.
In the proposed budget estimates for the next financial year, central government is expected to transfer 23.23 Billion Shillings, constituting 79.0 per cent; discretionary transfers 3.5 Billion Shillings, representing 12.0 per cent and other government transfers 1.2 Billion Shillings, representing 4.1 per cent.
Elizabeth Namanda the Luwero District Chief Administrative Officer welcomed the commitment by the government to take over the project and said they are looking forward to knowing how and when this will be fulfilled.
