Kitgum officials ordered to refund wrongly deducted ex gratia funds
“This is a clear deviation from standard financial practices. All other subcounties have disbursed the payments without such deductions,” Oguti said.
Kitgum: Kitgum District authorities have directed the leadership of Omiya Anyima West Subcounty to refund UGX 248,500 wrongfully deducted from ex gratia payments intended for local council leaders.
According to Oguti Geoffrey, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Chua East, the LCIII Chairperson and Subcounty Accountant are accused of making unauthorized deductions of UGX 3,500 per beneficiary. The deductions affected a total of 71 local leaders, including 53 LCI Chairpersons, 4 LCII Chairpersons, and 14 Parish Councillors.
Oguti stated that the subcounty officials claimed the deductions were meant to cover bank charges, citing a lack of sufficient funds in their account. However, he condemned the explanation as unjustifiable and procedurally flawed.
“This is a clear deviation from standard financial practices. All other subcounties have disbursed the payments without such deductions,” Oguti said.
The Kitgum District Chief Finance Officer (CFO) clarified that, per government guidelines, LCI and LCII Chairpersons are each entitled to UGX 120,000, while Parish Councillors receive UGX 420,000 as ex gratia.
The directive is part of ongoing efforts to ensure financial transparency and accountability in local government structures, and it has been welcomed by local leaders and residents alike.
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