First, I would like to congratulate President Yoweri Museveni for appointing Rt. Maj. Gen. Henry Tumukunde as the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development. The ministry has, for some time, remained largely silent on several issues affecting Ugandans, including the welfare of citizens working in the diaspora.
As the new minister settles into office, one of the urgent matters requiring his immediate attention is the stalled construction of the Moroto Children Remand Home, a project that has remained abandoned despite billions of shillings being allocated to it.
The facility, valued at approximately Shs4.7 billion, is located in Musas Village, Katikekile Sub-county, Moroto District. Construction began in 2020 under Gali Technical Services Limited, with funding from the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
The project was welcomed with great optimism across the Karamoja sub-region. Once completed, it was expected to end the costly and difficult practice of transporting juvenile offenders from Karamoja to the Mbale Remand Home, nearly 178 kilometres away.
However, that hope gradually faded.
While construction initially progressed at a promising pace, work later slowed dramatically. Local leaders repeatedly questioned the unexplained delays. It later emerged that the contractor had allegedly been financing the project using personal resources after reportedly failing to receive the expected advance payment from the ministry.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, construction came to a complete halt. Since then, the site has been abandoned. Bush has overgrown the premises, the perimeter fence has collapsed in several sections, and the unfinished structures have reportedly become a hideout for criminals and wild animals.
For several years now, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has remained silent on the status of the project. No clear explanation has been provided to the people of Karamoja regarding what happened to the funds or when construction will resume.
This prolonged silence has naturally raised questions. Ugandans deserve transparency and accountability regarding the Shs4.7 billion that was allocated for this important public project.
Rt. Maj. Gen. Tumukunde has built a reputation as a results-oriented leader who values accountability. I therefore appeal to him to institute a comprehensive review of the Moroto Children Remand Home project, establish why construction stalled, determine how the allocated funds were utilized, and ensure that the facility is completed to serve the children it was intended to benefit.
If there was any misuse or mismanagement of public resources, those responsible should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The people of Karamoja have waited long enough. The government owes them answers, and more importantly, action.
The writer is a senior veteran journalist.
