AMURU, April 12, 2026 — The Resident District Commissioner [RDC] for Amuru district, Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, has directed four sub-county chiefs to account for and refund a total of Shs 109.5 million allocated for the rehabilitation of community access roads.
The funds were intended for road works in the 2024/25 financial year across Lamogi, Atiak, Amuru and Pabo sub-counties.
According to field inspection findings conducted by the RDC, the sub-county chiefs in the affected areas failed to properly account for funds withdrawn for the projects.
In Amuru Subcounty, of the Shs 28.9 million released for works on the Lajalula Road in Lakang, verification showed that only 7 kilometres out of the planned 8km was worked on. However, key components of the project, including the opening of drainage channels and installation of culverts, were not undertaken, despite Shs 9mln having been withdrawn.
In Atiak Subcounty, the entire Shs 23.5mln allocated for the rehabilitation of the 7km Pacilo–Gunya Road was withdrawn, but only 1.5km of the road section was worked on.
Similarly, in Pabo Subcounty, Shs 32mln was released for works on the Odura–Nyakagoro Road, but only bush clearing was carried out, with no substantial rehabilitation undertaken.
In Lamogi Subcounty, irregularities were also reported. Of the Shs 26mln allocated, including Shs13mln earmarked for Guru-Guru Subcounty, the funds meant for Guru-Guru were withdrawn but no work was done. Another Shs 13mln intended for pothole filling on the Awer–Corom Road was only partially utilised, with limited work completed.
In a letter dated April 8, 2026, Oceng instructed the Chief Administrative Officer [CAO], John Bosco Opio, to compel the sub-county accounting officers — whose names were withheld, to account for the expenditure and refund any misappropriated or unjustified funds.
“Failure to comply with this directive will result in administrative and legal action in accordance with the law,” the letter stated.
Opio confirmed receipt of the directive, noting that he had already written to the accounting officers, requiring them to submit accountability reports before further action is taken.
Amuru District LC5 Chairperson Michael Lakony condemned the alleged misuse of funds, describing it as a setback to government programmes.
“As politicians, we are constantly under pressure from the community due to poor roads. Funds are released, but some civil servants misappropriate the money,” he said.
Amuru District has a road network spanning approximately 401 kilometres.
https://thecooperator.news/minister-attributes-bad-roads-to-shs-1-3trn-unra-debt/
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