Denial of Information Hampers Anti Corruption Fight
Nakaggwa claims that some officials have taken the issue personal for fear of being exposed for mismanaging government funds.
Lack of access to information and intimidation
by local government officials is hampering the anti corruption fight by
the Village Budget Clubs across the country. In 2010, Forum for Women in Development, a non governmental organization launched Village Budget
Clubs to demand value for money for every government program
implemented. More than 50 Village Budget clubs comprising of 1000
members drawn from the communities were formed in 13 districts. They
include Luweero, Kibaale, Kabale, Kanungu, Amuru, Napak, Busia, Mityana,
Amuria, Wakiso among others.
However a number of Village Budget club members have quit citing a threat to their lives by civil and local government officials. In Luweero district at least 20 of the 120 volunteers have quit. The bulk of the remaining volunteers are inactive. In Kalungu district only 4 of the 50 volunteers have remained. The situation is reportedly not any different in other districts where the clubs were formed. Florence Nakaggwa, a member of Kyegomba Village Budget Club in Luweero Sub County says that they are frustrated by technocrats such as accounting officers or departmental heads in district whenever they ask for information. She cites their unsuccessful attempts to access information on NAADS supplies, beneficiaries and disbursement of funds to Health Centers and schools in the district.
Nakaggwa claims that some officials have taken the issue personal for fear of being exposed for mismanaging government funds. Jackson Ssemakula, a member of Kasaala Parish Budget Club in Luweero Sub County says vocal members of the club have been blacklisted and sidelined in service delivery. He claims that recently Luweero sub county officials tried to divert a programme of sinking bore in the parish accusing the group of causing unnecessary noise on accountability. Joan Namusisi, a member of Kyegombwa Village club says that some district and local government officials deny them information claiming it is classified. They instead ask them to first seek authorization from Eustace Gakwandi, the Luweero chief Administrative or his Deputy Christopher Oketayot before they can give information, well knowing that the officials are very far from their sub counties.
She wonders how a public program being implemented in their community can be classified. Patricia Munabi Babiiha, the Executive Director Forum for Women in Democracy says the Access to Information act 2005 and constitution of Uganda requires all government departments to publicize information on projects being implemented detailing information about the contractor and money allocated to it among others. She however, faults officials for hiding the information from members of the public to block them from demanding for accountability. Babiiha says they have petitioned various Chief Administrative Officers and police to enforce the right by citizens to access information on public project.
Brenda Nabukenya, the Luweero Woman Member of Parliament has also admitted failing to access information on some programmes in the district and Central government. She believes this is a ploy by some officials to conceal information on shoddy works.
Christopher Oketayot, the Luweero Deputy Chief Administrative Officer says that that he has acted on issues of corruption brought by Village budget club member but was not aware of the challenges they are facing to access information. He has promised to follow up the matter. Recently, media practitioners under Greater Luweero Journalists Association also accused district officials there for being uncooperative when it comes to releasing information on government programs, which has affected their work in the area. In 2005, parliament the access to information act to promote accountability, transparency and effectiveness in government. However, its implementation is faced with stiff challenge from several civil servants.
However a number of Village Budget club members have quit citing a threat to their lives by civil and local government officials. In Luweero district at least 20 of the 120 volunteers have quit. The bulk of the remaining volunteers are inactive. In Kalungu district only 4 of the 50 volunteers have remained. The situation is reportedly not any different in other districts where the clubs were formed. Florence Nakaggwa, a member of Kyegomba Village Budget Club in Luweero Sub County says that they are frustrated by technocrats such as accounting officers or departmental heads in district whenever they ask for information. She cites their unsuccessful attempts to access information on NAADS supplies, beneficiaries and disbursement of funds to Health Centers and schools in the district.
Nakaggwa claims that some officials have taken the issue personal for fear of being exposed for mismanaging government funds. Jackson Ssemakula, a member of Kasaala Parish Budget Club in Luweero Sub County says vocal members of the club have been blacklisted and sidelined in service delivery. He claims that recently Luweero sub county officials tried to divert a programme of sinking bore in the parish accusing the group of causing unnecessary noise on accountability. Joan Namusisi, a member of Kyegombwa Village club says that some district and local government officials deny them information claiming it is classified. They instead ask them to first seek authorization from Eustace Gakwandi, the Luweero chief Administrative or his Deputy Christopher Oketayot before they can give information, well knowing that the officials are very far from their sub counties.
She wonders how a public program being implemented in their community can be classified. Patricia Munabi Babiiha, the Executive Director Forum for Women in Democracy says the Access to Information act 2005 and constitution of Uganda requires all government departments to publicize information on projects being implemented detailing information about the contractor and money allocated to it among others. She however, faults officials for hiding the information from members of the public to block them from demanding for accountability. Babiiha says they have petitioned various Chief Administrative Officers and police to enforce the right by citizens to access information on public project.
Brenda Nabukenya, the Luweero Woman Member of Parliament has also admitted failing to access information on some programmes in the district and Central government. She believes this is a ploy by some officials to conceal information on shoddy works.
Christopher Oketayot, the Luweero Deputy Chief Administrative Officer says that that he has acted on issues of corruption brought by Village budget club member but was not aware of the challenges they are facing to access information. He has promised to follow up the matter. Recently, media practitioners under Greater Luweero Journalists Association also accused district officials there for being uncooperative when it comes to releasing information on government programs, which has affected their work in the area. In 2005, parliament the access to information act to promote accountability, transparency and effectiveness in government. However, its implementation is faced with stiff challenge from several civil servants.
Published by Brian Luwaga
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