Shs40m Ntungamo Naads funds missing

Over Shs40 million for the Naads programme has been unaccounted for in Ntungamo District in this financial year ending, threatening the success of the programme in the district, Daily Monitor has learnt.

At least Shs20m was unaccounted for in Bwongyera Sub-county, Shs6m in Ihuga Sub-county, Shs14m in Nyakyera Sub-county while more than Shs10m in the rest, according to the annual review report.

The district chief administrative officer, Mr George William Omuge, on Friday told the Naads annual review meeting for the district that there has been lack of transparency between sub-county chiefs and accountants in accounting for the funds and called for quick measures to safeguard the funds.

"The sub counties have not properly used the Naads funds. There is quite a lot to query in the accounting of these sub-counties. We are starting on a move to safeguard the monies and more people may be affected," Mr Omuge said.
An accountant of Ihuga Sub-county, Ms Marion Nalwanga is on remand after Shs100 million disappeared from the sub county while the rest are on the run.
Participants at the meeting complained of hiked prices of supplies, poor selection of model farmers and involvement of politicians in the procurement process.

The district vice chairman and secretary for production, Mr Elijah Atuheire, said shoddy supplies have been eminent in areas where politicians have been involved in procurement process as suppliers yet it violates the law.

"The procurement process has been hijacked by councillors, sub-county accountants, sub county chiefs and this has made it impossible for the farmers to benefit. Most supplies are inflated as a result and the farmers must refund these monies. They have thus not demanded supplies," Mr Atuheire said.
It was revealed that one month-old chicks were supplied to Ruhaama Sub-county at Shs8,000 per chick which cost Shs3,500 on the open market, while a bundle of grass was supplied in Kibatsi Sub-county at Shs800 yet they are available in other sub-counties at Shs200 per bundle.

The district Naads coordinator, Mr Frederick Tibesigwa, told participants that the district Naads committee is considering setting up reserve prices for commodities to be supplied to farmers to counter farmer exploitation by suppliers. The district chairman, Mr John Karazarwe, urged politicians to follow up the suspects.