Govt now sends iron sheets directly to Karamoja region

The chief administrative officers (CAOs) of the nine districts in Karamoja will personally sign for their districts’ share of iron sheets to ensure transparency and prevent theft.

The iron sheets, flagged off yesterday by Karamoja Affairs Minister Peter Lokeris and his deputy Florence Nambozo, are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to support reformed cattle raiders (Karacunas) and vulnerable communities in the region.

To further safeguard the distribution process, CAOs will sign for their consignments in the presence of the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and other district officers.

Mr. Peter Lokeris, the Minister of Karamoja, during the flagging-off ceremony in Namanve, Kampala, yesterday said the measures are intended to ensure that the beneficiaries of the presidential pledge receive their iron sheets in person.

“During distribution, beneficiaries will be called and everybody shall take the photographs. We don’t want any iron sheet to get lost,” he said.

Mr. Lokeris, joined by Ms. Nambozo, flagged off 11,168 pieces of iron sheets, adding to the 97,552 previously distributed, bringing the total to 108,720 — fulfilling the presidential pledge.

The iron sheets will be delivered to the nine districts of Amudat, Kotido, Napak, Kaabong, Moroto, Nabilatuk, Abim, Nakapiripirit, and Karenga.

Mr. Lokeris said the initiative follows the 2023 iron sheets scandal, where reports emerged that several top government officials had allegedly misappropriated iron sheets meant for Karamoja.

While 26 ministers and 31 legislators were named in the scandal, only three — Goretti Kitutu (then Karamoja minister), Agness Nandutu (the state minister for Karamoja), and State Minister for Finance Amos Lugolobi — were charged before the Anti-Corruption Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) exonerated the rest.

The United Kingdom in April last year sanctioned Ms. Nandutu, Speaker Anita Among, and Ms. Kitutu over their alleged involvement in the iron sheet saga.

Mr. Lugolobi recently alleged that he was being witch-hunted after he told the judge that some of his colleagues, who equally benefited from the iron sheets, were not being touched.

Ms. Nambozo expressed hope that the trucks would reach Karamoja safely and that the iron sheets would be distributed as planned.

“We pray that these trucks travel safely and reach Karamoja and that these iron sheets are distributed to the intended beneficiaries to change their lives,” Ms. Nambozo said.

To ensure accountability, the two ministers, along with officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), supervised the loading of the iron sheets in Namanve before dispatching the trucks.

Beneficiaries
Mr. Robert Mugarura Ssemwogerere, the OPM Under Secretary, said each reformed Karacuna would receive 3,000 pieces of iron sheets while the remaining stock would be allocated to community projects such as churches.

This distribution is part of a broader government initiative that began in July 2022, when the Karamoja Affairs Ministry pledged 100,000 iron sheets and 74,000 goats to support Karacunas who voluntarily surrendered their guns.

A supplementary budget of Shs39.9 billion was later approved to fund this initiative across Karamoja’s 477 parishes.

Ms. Nambozo said: “We want to thank the president for working with us to improve the livelihood of the people of Karamoja…. In the past, there were Karacunas who got their share and there are those who were still waiting and as well assure others who are still surrendering their guns that we shall work for you.”