Lamwo district is witnessing growing tension within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership following allegations of mismanagement of over shs233 million meant for grassroots mobilisation, sparking concern among party members and the wider community.
The controversy came to light after the Lamwo district NRM publicity secretary, Oketayot Thomas, accused the district chairperson, Polycarp Odoch, of failing to account for funds allocated to support party structures at the village level.
Speaking during a live radio talk show on Tembo FM, Oketayot revealed that a total of 529 villages each received an allocation of shs300,000, bringing the total to shs233,280,000.
The funds were intended to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and facilitate party activities across the district. Additional funds were also reportedly disbursed under the Wang Oo initiative.
According to Oketayot, standard party procedures require that withdrawals from district accounts be authorised jointly by the treasurer, administrator, and the district chairperson.
However, concerns arose when the Chairperson allegedly failed to provide accountability for the funds despite repeated demands from members of the District Executive Committee (DEC).
Efforts to resolve the matter internally reportedly proved futile, prompting the leadership to seek intervention from Lamwo Resident District Commissioner (RDC), William Komakech, who advised the committee to follow constitutional procedures in addressing the dispute.
Subsequently, a joint meeting involving ten DEC members and sub-county executive representatives was convened. The meeting resolved to remove Odoch as a signatory to the district party account and strip him of his position as district chairperson.
Leadership responsibilities were temporarily assigned to the vice chairperson as the matter awaits further guidance from the party secretariat.
The meeting also directed that all official communication be handled through the vice chairperson or constituency chairperson, effectively sidelining Odoch from day-to-day party operations.
Additionally, the handling of facilitation funds to the district NRM office was withdrawn from his control.
Oketayot further disclosed that on March 2, the district executive resolved to petition the NRM Secretariat in Kampala, and a formal submission was made on March 10. The Secretariat reportedly advised the district to exhaust all internal mechanisms as it continues to monitor the situation.
He also alleged that preliminary findings suggest part of the funds may have been deposited into a personal bank account, with transactions amounting to approximately shs52 million reportedly conducted via mobile banking. These claims, however, have not yet been independently verified.
Members of the public have expressed concern over the dispute, calling for transparency and swift resolution. “We want leaders who are accountable because these funds are meant to help communities at the grassroots,” said Aber Lillian, a resident of Madi Opei sub-county.
Another resident, Okot Ronald of Palabek Kal, urged the party leadership to act decisively. “This issue should be investigated thoroughly so that trust in leadership is restored,” he said.
Despite the ongoing wrangles, Oketayot emphasised that the Lamwo district NRM leadership remains committed to upholding accountability, transparency, and adherence to the party constitution.
When contacted, district chairperson Polycarp Odoch denied the allegations of mismanagement, insisting that he did not misuse the funds in question.
He maintained that he is not obligated to account to the District Executive Committee members raising concerns, arguing that they were not the source of the funds.
Odoch stated that he is prepared to provide accountability to the NRM Secretariat if required and urged his colleagues to follow the rightful party procedures in handling the matter.
