Sr. Akiror Encourages Teamwork in Lira Leadership

LIRA – The Deputy Head of the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) Secretariat and Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President, Sr. Dr. Mary Grace Akiror, has called on leaders in Lira District and Lira City to set aside personal and political differences and prioritise service delivery to the people.

She warned that persistent wrangles among top district leaders risk undermining government service delivery and negatively affecting communities that depend on public institutions for essential services.

“You cannot work in isolation. Above all, you should know that that office is not yours; it is not your home. You hold it in trust, and we have the mandate to remove you because you are entrusted with that responsibility,” Sr. Akiror cautioned.She made the remarks during separate service delivery mobilisation meetings held in Lira District and Lira City on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

In Lira District, she met leaders at Ogur Town Council, where the proposed district headquarters are to be constructed, while the city meeting was held at Lira City Council Hall. Sr. Akiror urged leaders to mobilise communities to embrace government programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and restocking initiatives, to improve household incomes and livelihoods.

She also issued a stern warning against corruption, stressing that public officials found diverting government resources would face appropriate action.The Deputy Head of the RDC Secretariat further urged district leadership to strengthen internal controls, institutional oversight and checks and balances to promote transparency and accountability in public administration.

During the Lira District meeting, Sr. Akiror introduced Molly Abang as Acting Resident District Commissioner (RDC), following the removal of Lillian Eyal amid allegations of misappropriation of public funds, which are reportedly under investigation.She challenged the RDC and Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Lira City to uphold ethical standards and ensure harmonious working relations between the Office of the President, political leadership, technical officials and the wider community.

Sr. Akiror also directed the Lira Resident City Commissioner, Lawrence Egole, to investigate allegations of indiscipline and intimidation against Assistant RCC Sam Olang and submit a report. On Sale of Government Jobs Sr. Akiror sounded a strong warning against corruption in public recruitment, particularly the alleged sale of government jobs by members of District Service Commissions.

She observed that in several districts she had visited, some members of District Service Commissions were allegedly selling public positions with impunity. She further alleged that some district service commission members, mayors and LCV chairpersons reserve positions for their children until they complete university, raising concerns about nepotism and abuse of public office.

“Selling government jobs is criminal, and when we get you, you will pay for it,” she warned, urging public officials to exercise their mandates transparently and professionally. The service delivery mobilisation meeting brought together Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), mayors, RDCs, deputy and assistant RDCs, members of District Service Commissions, LCIII chairpersons, heads of departments, opinion leaders and other stakeholders.

Lira District LCV Chairperson Richard Okello Orik thanked the RDC Secretariat for intervening in the leadership wrangles, saying the persistent disagreements had demoralised civil servants and affected their ability to deliver services effectively. Fr. Ambrose Adupa, curate of Agweng Catholic Parish, called on leaders to intensify community engagement and serve citizens with love, commitment and humility.

He said religious leaders were also making efforts to encourage their congregations to embrace government programmes aimed at improving household livelihoods. At the conclusion of her engagements, Sr. Akiror paid a courtesy visit to the proposed Lira District headquarters construction site, where a magnificent Shs4 billion administration block is being constructed by the UPDF Engineering Brigade.