Fake contractors cost Bukedea millions of shillings

Beneficiaries of Naads were also allegedly supplied with fake seeds.

Contractors in Bukedea are costing the district huge losses of public funds due to non-compliance with terms of the agreements, authorities have said.

The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr Michael Bwalatum, on Monday told this newspaper that most of the contractors have abandoned their work and are on the run.

Without naming the contractors, he said projects affected by the irregularities, include those under water and sanitation, roadworks and those facilitated with funds remitted through the National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads).

“Bukedea has been before Public Accounts Committee over mismanagement of funds. I am not shy to say that some officials are on the run because of fraud. Shoddy work and non-compliance with the terms of work are costing Bukedea billions,” Mr Bwalatum said, adding that Shs600 million was not accounted for in the last financial year.

He said contractors do not fulfill their contractual obligations and the district is currently investigating several officials believed to be conniving with the dubious contractors to defraud the district.

Mr Bwalatum added: “Funds were secured to provide goats to youths costing more than Shs300 million but to date nothing has been delivered. Contractors have been doing this with involvement of the civil servants.”

At a dialogue last month between Bukedea authorities and beneficiaries of Naads, it emerged that farmers had also been supplied with substandard seeds and implements.

“Some of the seeds are delivered during dry seasons when it is not suitable for planting. This could be a way of covering the dubious supplies,” Mr Khauka James, the LC3 chairperson Kachumbala, said.
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