By Our Reporter
Accountability concerns are mounting in Fort Portal City after allegations of financial mismanagement surfaced, putting senior city officials under intense scrutiny. The concerns, raised by the office of the Resident City Commissioner, highlight systemic issues in project implementation and financial oversight that could be undermining service delivery.
According to Deputy RCC Emmanuel Businge, several key development projects—including the Mayor’s Garden, the timber market, and a waste management site—have stalled despite the allocation of approximately Shs 1.3 billion in the 2023/2024 financial year. The unexplained delays have triggered fears that public funds may not have been used as intended.
Further concerns have been raised over the city’s financial obligations to lower local councils. For the past three years, mandatory remittances have reportedly not been fully honored, leading to an accumulation of arrears estimated at Shs 4 billion. This has strained operations at lower administrative levels and raised questions about transparency in revenue management.
The engineering department has also come under fire for alleged poor-quality road works and questionable accountability practices, including claims of reporting on projects that were never executed. These issues have cast doubt on the effective use of the road maintenance fund.
In response, the RCC’s office has formally engaged the State House Anti Corruption Unit to conduct a thorough investigation. The move is aimed at ensuring value for money, restoring public trust, and holding responsible officials accountable if wrongdoing is confirmed.
The unfolding developments signal a broader push for transparency and stricter oversight in local government operations.
