Geoffrey Apunyo, Moroto – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed investigations into the alleged ghost dams in Karamoja that were reportedly carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water.
The President issued the directive on Wednesday during an engagement with Karamoja leaders and opinion leaders at Naitakwae Playground in Moroto.
Mr. Museveni is currently on a countrywide tour to assess the progress of the Parish Development Model (PDM). His directive came after leaders raised concerns about various issues, including water scarcity and numerous uncompleted projects, despite the full release of funding.
Peter Lote, one of the leaders, questioned the President about the failure to construct many of the dams he had directed during his previous campaigns, despite large sums of money being allocated to the two ministries of Agriculture and Water.
“Your Excellency, honestly, there are people undermining your orders. I remember you directing three years ago that every district should have a big dam and valley tanks, but that directive has not been respected by the departments tasked with carrying it out. We don’t know whether you are still the President of this country,” he said.
This question puzzled Mr. Museveni, prompting him to call upon any water-related officer to explain what had happened with the water projects in Karamoja. Unfortunately, no one could provide a clear answer, which led the President—who has consistently secured 99.9% of the votes in Karamoja—to direct a thorough investigation.
He promised that with the assistance of the Members of Parliament, he would investigate why dams, particularly the one at Nakonyen under the Ministry of Agriculture, remain incomplete, along with others.
On Thursday morning, The Ankole Times observed State House vehicles heading towards Nakonyen, with others heading to the Kobebe and Arecek dams for fact-finding purposes.
Museveni will proceed to Abim district, where he is expected to face similar concerns from voters regarding ghost water projects, before moving on to Kotido for a rally and returning to Kampala.
Earlier last week, district chairpersons from Karamoja told the President through various media outlets that he should not expect favorable PDM results in Karamoja, as in Teso, due to corruption.
