Residents in Lwengo District have elected new parish-level leaders while calling for greater accountability in the management of government funds and improved delivery of services to communities.
The residents used the LC II elections in different parishes across the district to raise concerns over what they described as poor service delivery, delays in implementing government programmes and alleged misuse of public resources by some local officials.
They called on Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara to intervene, accusing some officials of withholding funds meant for development programmes and failing to ensure that government services reach their intended beneficiaries.
The residents said they were tired of participating in elections without seeing meaningful improvements in their communities, arguing that some leaders had failed to account for resources allocated to programmes intended to improve livelihoods.
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One resident alleged that money allocated for road works had been misused.
"People worked on roads and said they had received 600 million shillings, yet only about 10 million shillings was used. We know these people and how they enrich themselves using taxpayers' money. We are ready to expose them if Balaam comes," the resident said.
The allegations could not independently be verified.
The residents also expressed frustration over delays in the implementation of government programmes, including the Parish Development Model, Emyooga and other initiatives.
Another resident accused some individuals of deliberately frustrating government programmes for personal gain.
"Medicine is brought, things are brought to the villages and PDM money comes for different programmes, but everything disappears into the hands of those selfish and dishonest people who pretend to support government when they actually do not," the resident said.
Residents further alleged that money intended for ordinary citizens was sometimes withheld for long periods instead of being delivered to beneficiaries.
"Money meant for the people has been coming, but they keep it for a long time instead of allowing it to reach those at the grassroots," another resident said.
The residents also raised concerns over divisions among local leaders, saying internal wrangles had contributed to the slow pace of development in the district.
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They appealed to Minister Barugahara to intervene in the leadership disputes, which they said were holding back development while ordinary residents continued to struggle.
Meanwhile, some of the newly elected leaders pledged to work closely with residents, promote government programmes and address challenges affecting their communities.
Among them was Abudl Noor Bizimungu, the newly elected LC II chairperson for Kyawagonya Parish, who pledged to promote unity, mobilise residents to embrace government programmes and help address conflicts within families.
"My priority is to serve the people with one heart, mobilise them to embrace government programmes and help reduce conflicts in families," Bizimungu said.
Lwengo District has 45 parishes, 10 sub-counties and 438 villages. The district was created in 2010 after being carved out of Masaka District.
The newly elected leaders now face the task of translating their campaign promises into tangible services while responding to residents' demands for greater accountability and improved delivery of government programmes at the grassroots.
