The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Emmy Ngabirano admonished health workers at Bwijanga Health Centre IV in Masindi for allegedly extorting money from expectant mothers and patients. Ngabirano issued this stern warning during the belated Independence Day celebrations at Kikingura Primary School in Bwijanga sub-county, where he represented Water State Minister Aisha Ssekindi.
RDC Ngabirano minced no words, saying, “Sort out the mess in the health sector, especially Bwijanga Health Centre IV. The issue of extortion must stop. Why are you extorting from expectant mothers and patients? If you don’t sort out yourselves within two weeks, I’m going to come for you.”
Additionally, Ngabirano announced his intention to launch investigations into alleged fraud within government poverty alleviation programs, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Micro projects under the Office of the Prime Minister, the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), and the Ugandan Women Entrepreneurs program (UWEP). He expressed concern over reports that program implementers were creating fictitious beneficiaries and misappropriating funds. Ngabirano warned, “I have information on how implementers of these programs are forging details and giving money to people who do not exist. After giving out money to ghost individuals, they share it. I’m also coming for you.”
Furthermore, he urged PDM implementers to disburse UGX 700 million to the beneficiaries by the end of October. Ngabirano questioned why the money remained in accounts while the necessary work had been completed, suggesting potential issues in the civil service, political leadership, or public cooperation. He exclaimed, “There’s nothing the Government hasn’t done to improve people’s livelihood in Masindi, but there’s no impact.”
Local leaders and citizens also raised their concerns during the event. The Kikingura village LC1 chairperson, Deo Rubanjwa, called on President Yoweri Museveni to fulfill his pledge of establishing a memorial secondary school in the area and improving the Ikoba-Kikingura-Ntooma-Kafu-Kyankwanzi road for better inter-district transport.
Bwijanga LC3 chairperson, James Mudede, appealed for the extension of power to various areas within the sub-county and urged the government to expedite work on the Kafu bridge connecting Kyankwanzi and Masindi.
In response, Masindi LC5 chairperson Cosmas Byaruhanga assured that efforts to improve the road between the sub-counties were underway, and they were actively monitoring presidential pledges. He also disclosed that they had contacted the line ministry to extend electricity to areas without access.
The district is currently grappling with a limited and poorly maintained road network, with some roads in the process of being taken over by the central government. Local leaders expressed hope that the process would be expedited to address the challenges faced in the region.
