Moroto District, Uganda – Residents of Karamoja are raising concerns over the Ministry of Water’s regional offices, claiming their presence has had little real impact on the community.
Although the regional office was intended to bring services closer to the people, locals say staff are frequently absent from their duties.
John Ayopo, an anti-corruption monitor in Moroto, explained that most of the time only office attendants handle official work while senior officials focus on personal matters in other districts. Karamoja had previously fallen under the Mbale regional office before becoming its own region.
John Munyes, another monitor, said that during multiple visits to the Ministry of Water offices, they often only encountered office attendants and junior staff, with officials rarely conducting fieldwork. When they are present, officials reportedly work just two days a week.
“They may report on duty Tuesday and work Wednesday and Thursday, but by Friday they are already driving government cars back to their homes, leaving no work done,” Munyes said.
Jeremiah Louka, a concerned resident, added that the offices continue reporting on old projects from when First Lady Janet Museveni was Minister for Karamoja Affairs, but no new projects have been implemented.
“Karamoja has become a place where funds intended for local projects are diverted for personal use, with minimal work done in the region,” he said.
John Loupa appealed to President Museveni to monitor Karamoja projects closely, claiming many officials behave as if they are working against NRM interests. He highlighted the stalled Kakingol water project in Moroto District, which has remained incomplete for five years.
Mary Nakut criticized the Ministry of Water for recruiting staff from northern areas whose attention remains focused on their home districts rather than serving the Karamoja region.
