DOKOLO – Local Council One (LC1) chairpersons in Dokolo district have been warned against charging illegal fees, abusing their positions, and extorting money from the communities they serve.
James Penywii, the Director of Research, Education, and Advocacy at the Inspectorate of Government, emphasized that the chairpersons are responsible and accountable to the people who entrusted them with leadership. Speaking at a meeting with over 300 village leaders at the Dokolo district council hall on Friday, June 28, 2024, Penywii urged the chairpersons to guide their communities effectively and ethically.
During the Barraza sensitization program, which aims to mobilize local leaders and communities to combat corruption, Penywii called on all community leaders to join the government in its fight against graft. “It is your responsibility to join the war on corruption whether you are an LC1, a teacher, or LC2. Reject corruption in totality,” he stated.
Penywii highlighted that while the LC1 chairpersons have been given stamps to offer free services to the people, some have used this authority to extort money and enrich themselves. He clarified, “If you offer excellent services and people appreciate you with gifts, that is not corruption. But setting conditions for your services is wrong and cannot be tolerated.”
He also noted that many people mistakenly believe that fighting corruption is solely the responsibility of the Inspectorate of Government, stressing that it requires collective effort. “The fight against corruption in the country needs all our efforts,” he added.
James Otto Apili, the district LC5 chairperson, echoed these sentiments and called on the Inspectorate of Government to continue sensitizing communities and village leaders about their roles in reducing corruption. He shared his personal experience, noting that several technocrats were interdicted when he joined the district due to corruption. However, he faced accusations of forging academic papers in retaliation, which he successfully challenged by producing all his documents.
Apili urged the Inspectorate of Government not to forgive those found guilty of mismanaging public funds but to ensure they are jailed and that the misappropriated money and property are recovered. “Do not forgive those found culpable of mismanaging public funds. Jail them and recover the money and property accumulated,” he stated.
Boniface Ogwal, another local leader, stressed that the government would only succeed in its anti-corruption efforts if selective prosecution is eliminated. “The government will only succeed in the fight against corruption if selective prosecution is dealt with, without considering any person’s level and prominence,” he remarked.
Bernard Opio, the LC1 chairperson of Enget village, called for the establishment of an Inspectorate of Government branch in Dokolo district to tackle the prevalent corruption. He emphasized the need for closer oversight and action to address corruption tendencies in the district.
