By Insight Post Uganda
Buikwe-Uganda
Ruth Nahone Asea, the Community Development Officer (CDO) of Lugazi Municipality in Buikwe District, has become the subject of a relentless manhunt.
Her alleged mismanagement of government office and involvement in corruption sparked uproar and left the residents questioning the integrity of their local administration.
Nahone is the wife of the current Lugazi Municipal Mayor, John Bosco Asea. Nahone’s woes began when members of the Kabula Diary Elders Group (KDEG), an interested community organization focused on dairy cattle farming, decided to blow the whistle on her questionable activities.
Having registered with the CDO’s office back in 2013, the group hoped to benefit from government development programs aimed at supporting elderly individuals. The CDO (Nahone) had instructed the group to establish an account at the Lugazi branch of Finance Trust Bank.
Subsequently, on June 26 of this year, a substantial sum of five million shillings was deposited into the group’s account. According to Steven Offono, the KDEG chairperson, Nahone contacted him (via telephone) on June 27, 2023 inviting him to a private meeting at her office.
However, Offono failed to attend the scheduled meeting. Disturbingly, on June 29, the CDO called Offono once again, this time instructing him to withdraw UGX500,000 shillings from the group’s account and remit it to her office for her input in processing the funds.
In case she was absent, she directed him to hand the money over to her secretary, Grace Laso Magero. Compelled by fear, Offono reluctantly complied but swiftly changed his mind.
He reported the incident to the local police station on June 30, 2023, and a case of alleged financial extortion and abuse of office was opened up.
Acting promptly, the authorities responded to the complaint, resulting in the arrest of the CDO’s secretary, Grace Laso Magero, who was found in her office. The police recovered UGX500,000 shillings as evidence of the alleged extortion.
Despite subsequent summons to record statements, the CDO (Nahone) ignored these requests, forcing the police to initiate a hunt for her.
Hellen Butoto, the Ssezibwa Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed the ongoing investigation, revealing that Nahone remains at large. In the midst of these troubling developments, John Bosco Ochaya, a councillor at Lugazi Municipality, has appealed to the government for a special audit of the CDO’s office.
Ochaya highlighted long-standing concerns regarding the mismanagement of funds allocated to various development programs, including the parish development model and special interest groups.
Worryingly, Ochaya pointed out that the situation worsened following the return of the CDO’s husband John Bosco Asea to office.
Numerous complaints have been lodged by youths, community groups, and elderly individuals who allege that the CDO’s office has been demanding money from them.
Impact On The Municipality Development
Firstly, the financial extortion has not only affected their own aspirations but has also created a sense of disillusionment among other community organisations seeking to participate in government development programs.
According to the affected group leaders, the abuse of office by the CDO has eroded confidence in the fairness and integrity of the registration and funding processes. This has discouraged other groups from actively engaging in development activities, limiting their potential contributions to the community.
Moreover, the mismanagement of funds earmarked for different development arrangements, such as the parish development model and special interest groups, has further exacerbated the negative impact.
Ochaya noted that the limited resources are not reaching their intended beneficiaries, hampering the implementation of crucial projects and initiatives. “This misallocation and potential embezzlement of funds hinder the overall progress of community development, stalling infrastructure improvements, social welfare programs, and other essential projects that could uplift the lives of the residents,”
Still, the fact that Ruth Nahone is the wife of the current Lugazi Municipal Mayor, this association raises concerns about nepotism and favouritism in the local government, further undermining community trust and raising questions about the fairness of decision-making processes.
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