Kampala – Following a recent scandal where top government officials were accused of diverting iron sheets meant for the Karamoja sub-region, President Museveni recently directed the distribution exercise to take course.
The exercise was flagged off at the prime minister’s stores in Namanve by Hon Prime Minister Robinah
Nabbanja in company with the state minister for Karamoja affairs, Hon Agnes Nanduttu, The
Chairperson of the Karamoja Parliamentary Group, Achia Remigo.
Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony, Hon Nabbanja said that in the first phase of the exercise,97,552
iron sheets will be distributed to 3,752 beneficiaries in the nine districts of karamoja giving a top priority
to the reformed karamoja warriors. Hon Nabbanja further highlighted that all the pieces that will be
distributed are from the office of the prime minister’s stores.
“You all know the crisis that has been happening with the Karamoja Iron sheets, but you will agree with,
as you have seen, the store is full of iron sheets. We didn’t buy new ones. Media showed that the stores
were empty,” she said.
While gracing the flagging off exercise, the state minister for Karamoja affairs, Hon Agnes Nandutu, said
she was happy that the distribution exercise has started and applauded Hon Nabbanja for her efforts in
ensuring that the exercise begins.
“I am one of the people who are happy that we are doing this project and delivering the iron sheets to
the people of Karamoja. We want to thank you for the efforts you have taken to ensure that we reach
this point,” she said.
Hon Achia Remigo said that the recent karamoja warriors have been asking when iron would be
delivered and recommended that the distribution starts with those who have given out their guns to the
authorities, and then other beneficiaries can follow.
“Those beneficiaries in the region have been waiting for these iron sheets, and especially the young men
who have been giving out their guns. They have been asking us; are you not lying to us that you are
going to give us iron sheets? But today they will be happy to see that the iron sheets have been
delivered by the President to them, “on Achia Remigo said.
ALLOCATION.
Of the 97,552 iron sheets to be distributed, Moroto district is to get 9,568(9.8%), Napak 12,350(12.7%),
Nakapiripirit 6,526(6.7%), Nabilatuk 6,188(6.3%) and Amudat 9,620(9.9%).
Each beneficiary is expected to get 26 iron sheets with all the reformed warriors to get repainted type.
Hon Nabbanja further noted that Chief Administrative Officers are expected to file returns to the Office
of the Prime minister one month from the date of distribution.
