Sironko Leaders Crack Down on Technocrats as Electorate Demand Accountability

As the political term draws to a close, political leaders in Sironko have turned their focus to demanding accountability from technocrats amid mounting public frustration over neglected road infrastructure and alleged misuse of public funds.
However, the electorate remains skeptical, accusing the leaders of resurfacing at the end of the political term only to report failures rather than showcasing achievements.
For farmers, traders, and commuters, the deteriorating road conditions in Sironko have exacerbated daily struggles. Increased transportation costs, delays, and reduced access to markets and social services have left many questioning the role and commitment of their leaders.
In response, a district-wide joint monitoring exercise, spearheaded by Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the Budadiri West MP and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Secretary General, brought together MPs, local leaders, security officials, and technocrats to verify road project reports.
Three of six roads and two bridges were completed under the one-billion-shilling project. These included the Kibembe-Bunatanyo, Busamaga-Bukiiti, and Nkonge-Nabubolo roads, as well as the Kiguli and Gombe bridges.
The MPs also demanded accountability for the Uganda Road Fund projects dating back to 2021, with some roads still in disrepair despite being funded.
“The district has included in their accountabilities roads worked on by the sub-county, while others show no sign of work,” said Florence Nambozo, the Sironko Woman MP and Roads Committee Chairperson.
Sironko District received 1 billion shillings in the 2023/24 financial year under the road rehabilitation initiative, in addition to the regular Uganda Road Fund allocation of approximately 200 million shillings, to maintain a road network spanning 224 kilometers of hilly terrain. Projects were executed using the force account method, which relies on government resources rather than competitive bidding or contracts.
Nelson Kirenda, the Sironko District Chief Administrative Officer, acknowledged the delays, citing initial policy restrictions, equipment breakdowns, and adverse weather conditions.
Adding to the delays were political maneuvers and internal power struggles. The district engineer revealed to Nile Post that he was sidelined for four months until June 2024 due to administrative skirmishes, further derailing progress on planned projects. This was further compounded by the subsequent rains.
The CAO assured the public that efforts were underway to complete the remaining projects: Buhugu-Nandere, Gombe-Bbuwetwe, and Bumirisa-Bunazami roads.
While political leaders blamed technocrats for delays and alleged mismanagement of road funds, the electorate criticized the leaders for failing in their oversight role.
In response to increasing public pressure, the district road committee, chaired by the Woman MP, has decided to withhold a one-billion-shilling allocation for the current financial year. This decision aims to compel the completion of ongoing works and ensure accountability for funds from the previous financial year.
“We are going to interface with the technical team to ensure value for money, and those found culpable of misappropriation will face the long arm of the law,” Sasaga said.
With the current financial year already in its third quarter, Sironko faces the risk of unutilized road funds bouncing back to the national treasury. The situation is further compounded by the approaching rainy season, which threatens to hinder project execution and exacerbate delays.
District Oversight and Administrative Responsibilities
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is mandated to implement council policies, supervise technical staff, and maintain accountability.
Complementing the CAO is the district chairperson, who is mandated to ensure that government services and projects meet the community’s needs.
To support their oversight functions, both the CAO and district chairperson are provided with four-wheel vehicles equipped with fuel and safari-day allowances for each monitoring activity.
This arrangement is supplemented by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and members of parliament, along with NRM structures, all of whom are similarly equipped with vehicles and safari-day allowances except the NRM leaders.
The Uganda Road Fund Act also establishes a district road committee comprising MPs to provide oversight on road projects.