One of the tractors donated by Museveni abandoned in Lobangit/URN Photo
Two tractors donated to Karenga district in the Karamoja sub-region have been found abandoned in the bush.
The tractors were donated by President Yoweri Museveni in 2019 to Napore Development Association, with a view of helping farmers to boost their ability to open more acres of farmland and shift from subsistence to commercial farming.
The donation was made in response to a request by the district political leaders, who are also members of the association.
But while monitoring government programmes on Thursday, Karenga Resident District Commissioner, Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka and the Chief Administrative Officer Jonathan Musoke discovered that the tractors were out of use.
They were reportedly abandoned for almost two years in the bushes of Lobalangit Sub County far from any administrative unit or community. According to Hashaka, the tractors are not in motorable condition and are rusting away with some spare parts or equipment missing.
Hashaka ordered the police to investigate the alleged sale of spare parts of the two tractors that were abandoned in the bushes and hold to account those responsible for any mess.
The discovery of abandoned tractors comes amid reports that the equipment has been mismanaged by powerful politicians who are members of the association.
Santina Nawot, a member of Napore Development Association says that the members have not benefited from the tractors equally because some of the local leaders are using them for personal gain.
She also said the money raised from tractor hire has been grossly mismanaged by leaders.
“When a tractor breaks down, there is always no money to repair because our contributions were grossly mismanaged. Many of us have not benefited,” noted Nawot.
Another member of the association who spoke on condition of anonymity told URN that politics infiltrated into the association which strongly influenced the use of the tractors and its resources by members.
However, Felix Lochaale, the Karenga district Chairperson and Treasurer of the Association denied all the allegations before hanging up when contacted by our reporter.
-URN
