By The Focal Point Person for the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP) in Amuru District, Mr. Lukamoi Richard, has been arrested by police for allegedly embezzling UGX 200 million meant to support the youth in several sub-counties in that district
The arrest comes after accusations of fraud, including failing to follow program guidelines, manipulating beneficiary selection, and forging signatures.
The youth and local leaders have expressed outrage, demanding accountability for what they describe as a repeated pattern of corruption in youth empowerment programs in the area.
By press time Mr. Lukamoi Richard Amuru Probation officer was in Amuru Central Police Station custody on various charges including fraud of UGX 200 million which was meant to benefit youths of Amuru town council, Atiak, Pogo and Lamogi sub county in Amuru
Lukamoi who doubles as focal point person for Youth Livelihood Program for Amuru District is accused by the youth of Amuru district for intentionally failing to follow the 6 core principle guidelines for Youth Livelihood program. According to Amuru Youths, the youth focal point person, mobilization of the community was not done, the selection of the beneficiaries was hand picked, including forgery of the signatories in the beneficiaries among others which to them, the irregularities was intended to the defraud the youth
One of the youth George Orindi expressed scepticism and questioned how a focal point person for the program could fail to verify and submit files to the district for approval. He said,” How can a focal point person for youth livelihood fail to verify a file and submit to the district for district approvals? Out of the six strong guidelines which were supposed to be followed in the selection of the group was not followed. (0:42) The first one was the community engagement was not done
However, Opoolacen noted that “Amuru district is not only dented with corruption but also disunity notably between the technocrats and the political wing.
“There is even misunderstanding between staff and political leaders in the district. Whereby, the recruitment, I could see our staff in the district are not qualified staff.” He stated
When this publication contacted the Mayor of Amuru Town Council, Hon. Ocitti Daniel, regarding the youth’s allegations, Ocitti acknowledged receiving of YLP forms from Community Development Officer, however to his dismay the forms had several irregularities.
“The village chairperson of the youth council, none of them has signed the form So, we see there is a lot of irregularities in the form. The CDO for Amuru town council brought in the files for youth livelihood and Uganda women empowerment funds programs”. Ocitti stated
The youth petitioned the office of the Deputy RDC of Amuru, Ms. Proscovia Acham, accusing the Youth Livelihood Program’s focal point person, Mr. Lukamoi Richard, the Amuru Town Council Community Development Officer, Mr. Williams, and the Amuru District Chairman, Hon. Michael Lakony, of consistently teaming up to embezzle youth funds.
Upon learning of the allegations, the Deputy RDC took swift action, reviewing the case file and promptly ordering Mr. Lukamoi’s arrest while summoning the other two individuals for investigation.
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