Panyimur Leaders Urge Civil Servants to Put Public Interest First

What the report says

Leaders in Panyimur Town Council, Pakwach District, have renewed calls for transparency and accountability in the handling of public projects after residents raised concerns about poor workmanship, limited disclosure and possible misuse of funds. The appeal followed a visit by Minister of State for Local Government Balaam Barugahara, after which the town clerk and two engineers were arrested, according to the Nile Post report.

Local leaders and community representatives said they wanted civil servants to prioritize public interest and work more closely with political leaders and residents. They pointed to concerns around road works and upgrades at Panyimur Health Centre III, saying technical staff had not shared key project information such as architectural plans and implementation details. They also described a lack of cooperation between officials and the community.

Rwoth Stanley Ombidi, the Paramount Chief of Ker Kwonga Chiefdom, said the health centre project had drawn complaints about alleged fund mismanagement and poor quality work. Pennuel Kerchan, the town council LC III chairperson, said he had struggled to get clear information about a road project and felt excluded from oversight. The article says about Shs900 million was reportedly released for the road works, while the health centre project was reported at about Shs2.9 billion.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and the officials named in the complaints were not given a chance to respond in the material provided. The issue matters because it highlights long-running concerns in local government about oversight, value for money and whether public projects are being delivered to expected standards.