Two hundred fifty-two-252 out of 340 international and national organisations that purportedly operate in Karamoja region cannot be traced on the ground, URN has learnt.
Richard Omoding, the Executive Director of Riamiriam civil society organisation that monitors the activities of the civil society organisations in Karamoja region disclosed this in an interview with URN on Friday.
This came a day after the local community in Moroto chased officials of some NGO on Thursday who were trying to claim some activities implemented by other development partners to impress EU ambassadors who were touring development projects there.
Omoding explained to URN that during a mapping exercise they conducted in April this year, they only managed to record the physical addresses of 88 development partners including international, national and local NGOs operating in the region.
“Some times we get shocked when we see organisations running to Karamoja whenever big officials come to Karamoja yet they can’t be tressed, “he said.
He advised development partners to register with the Riamiriam civil society organisation, the NGO umbrella to avoid duplication of activities in the community.
John Lomuria, one of the residents, said that Karamoja has become a ground for accountability where development partners run to make accountability after misusing money from donors.
“What’s annoying us is that when the European Union delegation plans a visit in Karamoja you will see different types of cars flooding Karamoja even those that have never been around our villages,” he said.
Betty Angolere, an Anti Corruption monitor for Rupa sub-county said there was a need for district authorities in Karamoja to consider doing a headcount for all the NGOs operating in the region to get the actual number.
She also advised the funders to always seek guidance from the local community and leaders before releasing any funding to any development partners claiming to be running projects in Karamoja.
“Come to us and have a brief engagement with us before releasing any money to the particular NGO claiming to be operating in Karamoja, “she said.
-URN
