Leaders in Moroto district have appealed to the development partners to include them in development programming. The leaders from the subcounties say the donors are working in isolation, ignoring local leadership, and they are implementing projects without their knowledge.
They are demanding a change of the current approach to one that places local actors, such as community organisations and local governments are placed at the center of decision-making in the development project development and implementation.
According to the sub-county leaders, these partners often rush to the field to carry out their activities in local communities without consulting or informing the sub-county authorities.
The sub-county leadership has also alleged that some partners falsely claim to be implementing projects in their areas, producing reports on non-existent projects.
This was raised during the district annual budget conference for the financial year 2026/27 that was held on Tuesday at Moroto district headquarters.
John Robert Adupa, the LC3 chairperson of Lotisan Sub-County, said that some partners do not have visible projects in the community, yet they are writing reports about them.
Adupa called on development partners to cooperate with them, seeking guidance on project implementation for better results.
He expressed frustration over the minimal impact of numerous projects, suggesting that collaboration would improve outcomes.
Adupa noted that only a few partners have visibility in their project, while the majority are just touring the villages in the name of implementing projects.
He stressed that it is unfair for partners to roam around the communities taking pictures of people purported to be the beneficiaries, and yet they get nothing except soda and biscuits used for refreshments.
Adupa said that the partners have been receiving a lot of money from donors, which only ends up in their administrative operations and does not impact the community. He said that the partners have for many times underrated the sub-county authorities, and yet they were supposed to work closely.
Adupa warned that the sub-county authorities are mooting a move to reject all the partners whose works are not seen on the ground.
He recalled that when they had a budget conference, they invited the partners operating within the sub-county to attend the event, but none of them turned up.
Samuel Lokong, the Principal Assistant Secretary of Moroto district, said the trend of partners avoiding courtesy visits to the sub-county headquarters has continued growing despite several guidelines by the district authorities.
Lokong lamented that the partners prefer managing their projects on their own, and yet they need recommendations from the sub-county officials. He observed that the lack of coordination by the implementing partners has resulted in duplication of projects.
He warned that the CSOs should be evaluated, and those without impact in the community shall not have their operational license renewed.
Justine Samuel Tuko, the Moroto acting Resident District Commissioner, recommended that the partners who do not cooperate with the sub-county leadership be discontinued from implementing their project.
Tuko urged that the partners should be allocated to the sub-county based on the needs and not as per their own directive.
He suggested that the partners create office space in every sub-county where they are running their projects for easy monitoring and supervision.
Tuko noted that there is also a need to emphasize the monitoring of partners’ projects and assess their performances in terms of impact.
Tuko faulted the district authorities for the duplication of projects at the sub-counties because they are the ones issuing operational licenses.
Margi Lolem, the Moroto District Community Development Officer, insists that the partners have greatly contributed to the transformation of communities.
Lolem said that the partners are only reluctant to share their reports with the district officials, making it hard to understand the accountability of their projects.
She challenged the partners to always share their reports with the district sector heads and closely coordinate with the sub-county leaders to ensure effective project implementation and genuine community benefits.
According to the NGO Bureau, there are over 80 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the Karamoja sub-region, which includes Moroto, and many of these are Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). These organizations are involved in various activities, including promoting human rights, providing education, healthcare, and livelihood support.
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