Africa-Press – Uganda. It was a tense moment in Maracha District on Tuesday when President Yoweri Museveni publicly grilled Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Monica Koliba over Shs50 million that State House had disbursed to a local youth Sacco.
The fund, part of the Shs8 billion that the President recently released to industrial skilling hub beneficiaries in 176 districts, cities, and municipalities, is meant to help youth graduates start small-scale enterprises. Each Sacco received Shs50 million.
While addressing a rally at Nyadri Urban Secondary School Grounds in Maracha District, the President asked Koliba to brief residents on how beneficiaries had used the money.
“We formed a Sacco for all graduates from the Zombo Industrial Skilling Hub,” Koliba said. “We received Shs50 million and are preparing the beneficiaries to use it.”
But her remarks drew protests from locals, who accused her of lying, prompting Museveni to step in.
“Don’t kill the lady yet,” Museveni told the crowd. “I launched the Saccos in Nakasero about one and a half months ago. The problem is that these people don’t know how to communicate.”
Turning to Koliba, Museveni pressed her for details. “Let me prosecute the RDC. The money was sent to an account in the bank here. What is the account number?”
Koliba struggled to respond, instead reciting the number of trained beneficiaries before stating that the Sacco’s account was in Centenary Bank, Arua branch, since Maracha has no bank.
Museveni was not convinced. “No, we want to know the account number,” he insisted. “Now, before we arrest the lady, she has told us the account is in Centenary Bank.”
The President then directed the NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hamson Obua, to verify the information immediately and update residents.
“There is our NRM vice chairperson for Northern Uganda called Hamson Obua. I order him now, in front of you, to call Centenary Bank and check that account. Tonight, go on radio and tell the people the money is there,” Museveni instructed.
About 30 minutes later, Obua returned with confirmation that the funds were intact.
“I have executed the directive,” Obua reported. “The PostBank Arua branch manager confirmed there is an account in the name of Maracha District Presidential Industrial Hub Sacco Limited, which received Shs 50 million from State House on September 22. The current balance is Shs50.34 million.”
The announcement drew cheers from the crowd, prompting Museveni to declare the matter settled.
“The poor RDC is forgiven now,” he said, jokingly adding, “My young girl, you have survived — but be careful; PDM might take you next.”
A visibly relieved Koliba thanked residents for forgiving her. “My people of Maracha, I want to thank you for forgiving me. My office remains open to you,” she said.
The President, however, used the incident to issue a stern warning to officials mishandling government programs, particularly the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“If anyone is implicated in stealing PDM money, they will face the law,” Museveni warned. “If you got less than the Shs1 million you were supposed to get, report it to our State House team.”
He urged citizens to focus on wealth creation rather than waiting for government projects. “Development benefits everyone, but wealth belongs to individuals,” he said.
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