LANGO, UGANDA — A wave of panic has swept through civil servants across the Lango sub-region as anti-corruption crusader Balam prepares to tour the area, with reports emerging that some officials have begun consulting witch doctors while others are planning to flee before his arrival.
The highly anticipated visit, which has sparked jubilation among ordinary citizens, is expected to expose widespread corruption involving Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), and head teachers in government-aided schools.
Reliable sources indicate that a section of government officials have resorted to seeking help from witch doctors, while others are planning to go into hiding before Balam reaches their respective districts. The desperation comes amid mounting evidence of alleged misappropriation of public funds.
“Heads of departments in Dokolo, Amolatar, Lira City, Otuke, Alebtong, Apac, Kwania, Oyam, and Lira District are holding emergency meetings to forge ways of escaping jail, but it seems the situation is getting out of hand,” a source close to the matter revealed.
Meanwhile, excitement is building among the youth, who are preparing to line up along the roads for what they describe as a “red-carpet welcome” for the anti-corruption crusader. Many young people have requested Balam’s protocol team to allow them to express their grievances freely without interference.
“We are ready to let out the bad,” said one youth who spoke to our reporter. “We want Balam to take his ‘abaraza’ as early as possible—from 8:30 to 6:30.”
The youth are demanding that RDCs and CAOs be placed at the forefront of the spotlight, with calls for transparency in road construction projects. They want the number of bricks used, cement quantities, and labour costs calculated publicly before residents, as well as scrutiny of road funds earmarked by the government for each district.
Government-aided school head teachers are also in the crosshairs, with citizens demanding that they “vomit” Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) funds and illegal charges, including money collected for latrine construction.
The youth have accused several RDCs of failing to implement government policies and conniving with head teachers to create room for corruption—allegations that have caused widespread panic among those suspected of being corrupt.
Balam has been requested to investigate how National Resistance Movement (NRM) funds were used during the election period in the district. Sources allege that some top NRM officials in Lango shared party funds meant to facilitate campaign processes, with some RDCs implicated in the scandal.
Citizens are also demanding that some Assistant RDCs (ARDCs) return money meant for Restocking, Parish Development Model (PDM), and Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) funds that were allegedly shared locally among officials.
The upcoming visit has galvanized public opinion across the Lango sub-region, with citizens increasingly vocal about their expectations for accountability and transparency in local government.
Residents are demanding comprehensive audits of district road funds, public scrutiny of construction materials and labour costs, and the return of misappropriated funds from various government programs including PDM, USMID, and restocking initiatives.
As Balam’s motorcade prepares to traverse the region, the contrast between anxious officials and enthusiastic citizens underscores the growing demand for accountability in Uganda’s local governance structures.
The visit is expected to commence in the coming days, with security protocols being arranged to accommodate the large crowds anticipated to welcome the anti-corruption crusader
