Okidi Patrick, Obongi – The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Obongi district, Mr. Otim Humphrey Benson, has decried the extremely harsh working conditions faced by civil servants in the district, despite the government’s failure to provide them with hard-to-reach allowances.
Mr. Otim Benson Humphrey was addressing members of parliament from the social protection forum who were on a three-day working visit to Obongi district.
The CAO stated that Obongi is one of Uganda’s most remote districts, lacking essential services such as electricity, banks, tarmac roads, accommodation, a National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) office, a prison, a remand home, a hospital, a Resident State Attorney (RSA) office, a technical school, and a court. Despite these challenges, civil servants are not granted hard-to-reach allowances like those in other remote districts.
He contrasted the situation with neighboring Adjumani district, which has electricity, tarmac roads, banks, and a court, but whose civil servants receive hard-to-reach allowances.
During the meeting attended by the area MP for Obongi, Dr. Bokha Didi George, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) Umuhoza Habiba Furaha, and district Chairperson Abibu Khemis Awadi, the CAO urged the MPs to intervene and ensure that Obongi civil servants receive hard-to-reach allowances.
RDC Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka revealed that some civil servants view working in Obongi as a punishment and initiate transfer processes immediately upon reporting for duty due to the harsh conditions and lack of allowances. Others negotiate with their appointing authorities for short-term assignments before transferring.
While emphasizing his patriotism and commitment to transforming Obongi into a well-developed district, Hashaka acknowledged the importance of hard-to-reach allowances for motivating civil servants and requested the MPs to advocate for their inclusion.
The MPs, led by the Chairperson of the parliamentary social protection forum, Hon. Kabahenda Flavia, pledged to address the matter.
