Steven Ariong, Moroto – A group of Karamoja youths has undergone rigorous training on how to combat corruption by actively participating in government and civil society activities. The training, which took place in Moroto on Friday, emphasized the youth’s right to demand transparency regarding the budget for any government or NGO activities in their localities.
Dr. Mukiisa Ayub, the Executive Director of the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition, informed the youth that their involvement in fighting corruption is crucial for the country’s development.
“Don’t sit back and watch projects being implemented in your area without being concerned about the cost of the project, the implementer, and the funders,” he said.
According to Dr. Mukiisa, the lack of youth involvement in monitoring government and NGO activities is a key reason why Karamoja still lags behind, despite significant amounts of money being spent in the region.
The training was organized with support from the Danish Embassy and GIZ, with the aim of eliminating corruption in the country. Karamoja has remained a fertile ground for NGOs and government officials who misappropriate resources under the guise of helping the impoverished region.
Between 2003 and 2010, Karamoja had a total of 480 non-governmental organizations, both local and international. However, the impact of these organizations was not felt in proportion to their numbers. This publication noted significant duplication of work and observed that much of the resources intended to improve the living standards of the poor Karimojong were used for administrative costs.
One international development partner received Shs 1 billion in foreign aid to support the Karimojong but spent Shs 900 million on administrative costs, including retreats, and only Shs 100 million on practical activities. This misuse of funds angered Moroto district leaders.
Mr. Raymond Korobe, one of the youths, praised the training, stating that it has empowered them to be more vocal in exposing corruption in the district of Moroto.
