Geoffrey Oloya, who was the first recipient of the Government’s COVID-19 Relief Cash, today morning presented himself before Gulu City authorities and dispelled all falsehoods that have been labeling him as a “ghost” recipient of the Relief Cash.
Oloya, a resident of Gulu City, first shot to prominence when the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, made a call to him as the first recipient of the special fund.
The fund was meant to support vulnerable persons within KCCA, Cities and Municipalities who depended on daily earnings but were affected by the COVID-19 containment measures.
However, the facts around Oloya took a turn when reports emerged, claiming that Oloya had never been a boda boda rider and that he was unknown in Gulu.
After hearing of the misinformation about him, Oloya Tuesday morning presented himself to authorities in his Division of residence.
He confirmed that he indeed is a boda boda rider and that he received both the money and the famous telephone call from Nabbanja.
“I have been busy in my garden in Nyamukino village, Lumulu Sub County at the far end of Nwoya district, where network is very poor and that’s the reason my line has been unreachable,” Oloya said.
“I first heard of the falsehoods around my name last week when Members of Parliament came to Gulu. I felt so embarrassed because I am a vulnerable person and do boda boda riding within Gulu city,” he added.
He recalled the process he went through to receive the COVID cash.
“When I heard about the COVID-19 Cash, I followed the procedures and got registered. I later received the money and immediately bought seeds of soya and rice which I went to plant in my garden. This is where the unfortunate news found me” Oloya said.
He described the reports that label him as a “ghost recipient” as “unfortunate”.
“I want to really thank the government for the support,” he noted.
By Tuesday afternoon, Oloya was still working with a string of local authorities including the Resident City Commissioner, Gulu City Mayor, City Town Clerk and representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to document the facts.
