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MOROTO: A section of elders in Karamoja region have asked government to revive the Karamoja Development Agency to spur development in the area.
John Lokol, an elder from the region has told this website in an interview that Karamoja Development Agency (KDA),which existed before the introduction of a ministry of Karamoja which has turned to be a hub of corruption, had better practical development plans.
According to Mzee Lokol who’s a resident of Nabilatuk district, Karamoja development agency had a lot of impact on the ground including job creation, ensuring provision of water and education and health projects.
“Iam a Karimojong, i havent seen any tangible impact that Karamoja ministry has created for the people of Karamoja since it was created apart from people using it for stealing. All I’m seeing on the ground are old projects designed and implemented by Karamoja Development Agency.
Karamoja Development Agency was established by parliament in July 1987 under ( Cap 214) it’s work was to corporate and define it’s functions and powers.
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The agency was responsible for the development of Karamoja region and among other things which included developing agriculture and animal industry and provide sufficient water supply and it was supposed to be governed by a council.
But the elders say, the Agency lost its powers after the creation of Karamoja ministry which now they’re calling upon government to revive it and either scrap or leave Karamoja ministry.
Jermayah Mudong a retired civil servant and a resident of Nadunget sub county in Moroto district also told this publication that apart from the Multipurpose water dam built by the first lady Janet Museveni under Karamoja ministry, there is nothing that Karamoja ministry has helped in changing the live styles of the people of Karamoja.
According to Mudong reviving Karamoja development Agency (KDA)which was enacted by parliament act and would help and develop Karamoja.
“We are not seeing any changes caused by Karamoja ministry compared to the changes that Karamoja Development Agency had put in place”-he says
Simon Nangiro one of the opinion leaders in Moroto says Karamoja ministry is not meant to change the lives of the People of Karamoja but to create a hub of deals for individuals.
While Ismile Mohamed the mayor of Moroto Municipality also echoed that reviving Karamoja development agency’s would work very well in the development of Karamoja. According to Mohamed, before Karamoja ministry was created that later killed Karamoja development Agency, the Agency by that time used to have intervention in water works, road constructions, education and health which is not happening now under so called Karamoja ministry.
Mohamed added that the agency had created jobs within the region and many Karimojong children were employed compared to having two ministers running and maintaining seven vehicles, holding two staff meetings in the whole financial year without creating any impact in the region.
“To me as a Mayor of Moroto it’s good as having no minister for Karamoja affairs”-Muhamed notes
Francis Kiyonga the former district LCV chairperson Amudat says the creation of Karamoja ministry has not proved it’s importance to the people of Karamoja.
“First of all where is that ministry office located, and how many Karimojong children are working in it, and what’s it’s structures”-Kiyonga questions
Kiyonga also noted that no leader knows the budget of Karamoja ministry.
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