The Chief Administrative Officers Who Faced Bullets in Order to Bring Karamoja to Where It Is Now

Napak

Uganda on Friday joined the rest of the world to celebrate International Labour Day held in Buikwe District. During the celebration, President Museveni awarded medals to various hardworking senior citizens.

While those were recognized, there is a team of Chief Administrative Officers whom I would like to request H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to recognize.

It should be remembered that when Karamoja was very volatile, with road ambushes and direct shootings, public service faced a big challenge in deploying officers in the region, except for only a few of them.

These include Luke Lokuda. Mr Lokuda, despite being born in Karamoja, missed many bullets while executing government work in the then Greater Moroto District.

Mr Abilly Awilli, the current Chief Administrative Officer of Napak, was the Deputy CAO in Kapchorwa. While in Kapchorwa, he did a well-deserving job that created impact still being remembered.

At the moment, he has put Napak District at a stage of development that no one could have imagined.

Mr Emmy Ejuku Olaboro, when he was Chief Administrative Officer of Nabilatuk, also faced serious threats, but that did not stop him from monitoring government projects.

As a senior, Olaboro, who was once a candidate for Executive Director of Kampala City Council, worked tirelessly to contribute to what everyone is now seeing in Karamoja.

Mr Emmanuel Mulondo, the former Chief Administrative Officer of Moroto, ensured there was no abuse of resources, especially NUSAF funds.

Mr Ismail Ochengel was the Chief Administrative Officer of Abim District. He ensured that service delivery in the district was a priority.

Mr Steven Ouma (RIP), even after receiving a death-threatening letter wrapped with two bullets, never got scared of heading civil servants in Moroto District.

These are among many officials whom this publication cannot list all, but who sacrificed a lot to see Karamoja where it is today.