Zombo NRM leaders detained over Ugx 47 million youth funds

Zombo: Six senior members of the Zombo District Executive Committee (DEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have been arrested over allegations of misappropriating Ugx 47,150,000 meant for youth flag bearers across 752 villages.

The money was part of a Ugx 67.68 million allocation intended to support 4,715 NRM youths at the village level. However, only Ugx 20.53 million was disbursed, raising serious accountability concerns.

The arrested officials, as identified by Zombo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Festus Ayikobua, are; Oliver Cwinyaai Freeman the NRM Administrator for Zombo, Grace Thorach the District NRM Chairperson, Fred Okura the Vice Chairperson, Ringtho Boris the Secretary General, Sadiki Onencan the Publicity Secretary and Obima Beatrice the Secretary for Finance.

Mounting complaints from grassroots youth leaders triggered the investigation. Some young party members even threatened to defect from the NRM if the matter was not resolved.

In response, the RDC and District Internal Security Officer (DISO) convened a crisis meeting on Wednesday, July 2, bringing together the accused DEC members, sub-county leaders, and youth representatives at the Zombo district headquarters.

Following preliminary investigations, which revealed no credible documentation to account for the missing funds, RDC Ayikobua ordered the immediate arrest of the six officials. They were subsequently detained at Paidha Central Police Station to record statements.

“Of the Ugx 67,680,000 allocated, only Ugx 20,530,000 was distributed,” said RDC Ayikobua. “The remaining Ugx 47,150,000 is unaccounted for. We will not release these individuals until the youth funds are fully recovered.”

Ayikobua emphasized the NRM’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption and called on the national secretariat to restructure the party’s leadership in Zombo to prevent further abuse of power.

Zeu Sub-County Councilor Roy Masendi condemned the implicated DEC leaders, claiming that of the Ugx 6 million allocated to his area, only Ugx 2.3 million reached the youth.

“This DEC is corrupt and untrustworthy. Their actions threaten the NRM’s credibility ahead of the July 17 primaries and the 2026 general elections,” Masendi said.

The NRM has historically commanded over 80% of the vote in Zombo District since 1996. The scandal, however, threatens to erode long-standing support in the region.

District Youth Chairperson Amos Jacan expressed relief that youth leaders had been cleared of any wrongdoing:

“The youths initially thought we were involved, but thank God our name is now cleared. We must remain vigilant and continue reporting such acts of graft.”

Princess Kristober and Rasul Kumakech Idris, Secretary General for the NRM Youth League, applauded the swift response by the RDC and security team, expressing hope that all affected youths would receive their rightful funds.

District Youth Councilor and Treasurer Derick Ocweda Rwothungeyu emphasized the significance of the arrests:

“This timely intervention shows the power and voice of the youth in holding leaders accountable.”

This scandal surfaces at a sensitive political moment, with the NRM primaries scheduled for July 17 and President Yoweri Museveni recently calling on newly elected district leaders to uphold transparency and eschew corruption.

While the Zombo DEC is tasked with advancing party policy, community engagement, and social programs, this breach has tarnished the party’s local image. There are growing calls from within and outside the party to take decisive action against entrenched corruption.

As investigations continue, public pressure mounts on the detained officials to account for the missing funds, and for the party to restore trust at the grassroots level.

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