MPs Demand Review of Karamoja Development Fund Amidst Duplication Concerns

Lawmakers on the Presidential Affairs Committee have raised concerns about the effectiveness and accountability of funds allocated to Karamoja. During a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs, MPs questioned the impact of previous interventions and the significant amounts of money spent in the region.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Martin Mapenduzi Ojara, met with Minister for Karamoja Affairs Hon. John Baptist Lokii and Minister of State Hon. Esther Anyakun to discuss the proposed Karamoja Regional Development Plan (KRDP). This ambitious 10-year plan, valued at Shs15 trillion, aims to transition Karamoja from its traditional nomadic and agro-pastoralist lifestyle to a more settled and commercially driven economy.

However, several MPs, including Hon. Lucy Akello and Hon. Harriet Nakweede, voiced skepticism, demanding an evaluation of past programs. They highlighted potential duplication of efforts by various government entities and stressed the importance of understanding the reasons for previous failures to avoid repeating mistakes.

“Have we ever done any evaluation of the programmes and the money that have gone to Karamoja?” asked Hon. Akello. Hon. Nakweede echoed this sentiment, urging for an assessment to “know why they failed.”

Concerns were also raised about uncompleted government-funded projects, such as dams, and conflicting reports on the distribution of emergency food aid. Minister Anyakun assured the committee that the new KRDP is designed as a “whole of government approach” to streamline efforts and prevent duplication.

Despite these assurances, the committee noted that the KRDP proposal had lapsed with the dissolution of the 11th Parliament. They advised the ministry to reintroduce the plan as new business for consideration by the current Parliament.

Source: Parliament of Uganda