Refugee Minister Anyakun misinformed concerning Kisoro ‘OPM’ Funds

By Gerald Niyirinda

State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Esther Davina Anyakun might have been misled, regarding funds meant for the restoration of public infrastructure affected by Refugees in Kisoro district, investigations have revealed.

The state minister, who also doubles as the Nakapiripirit Woman Member of Parliament, while in Kisoro district earlier this month, implied that the district leadership received at total of 85 million shillings meant for the rehabilitation of all infrastructure that was broken down by Congolese asylum seekers.

According to Hon. Anyakun, the district received the money and needs to account to the people of Kisoro.

“The office of the Prime Minister, during the 28th of March influx got 85 million shillings to make sure we take care of rehabilitation of all the infrastructure that was broken down. We are talking about classrooms, pit latrines, market structures, benches, desks that were lit fire by the refugees to keep warm. We gave the money to the district; the district has to account to the people of Kisoro“, Anyakun stressed

The Minister’s comments that day, shocked district leadership present, with many claiming not to know anything about ‘OPM funds’ sent to the district.

Most shocked of all was Minister Anyakun, who had hoped to find Kisoro district LCV chairperson Abel Bizimana, only to discover he was out of the district attending a key stakeholders meeting.

Bizimana’s decision to criticize a government policy of closing the Nyakabande Holding Camp rubbed Hon. Anyakun and the entire Refugee Ministry the wrong way.

Once friends now foes, Bizimana and Hon. Anyakun continue to disagree on matters surrounding refugee management in Kisoro district.

Bizimana continues to be adamant, saying he will not apologize to the Refugee Ministry nor to the Minister herself, despite pleas of leniency, made on his behalf by the district Speaker Amos Hakizimana.

Bizimana’s stance and growing ambition to one day become a Member of Parliament for Bufumbira East Constituency has since won some adoration from his electorates.

A cow and a few other livestock worth 1.8 million from Kisoro residents were pledged live on a radio talk show on Voice of Muhabura radio.

Kisoro district Vice chairperson Alex Ndayambaje says, despite the district chairperson’s absence on that very day, the Minister was misinformed about the whereabouts of the OPM funds.

According to Ndayambaje, the district did not receive any money from OPM, in fact, the entire process of choosing a contractor was done and completely by the Office of the Prime Minister.

Introducing Forward Investment Limited

On the 2^nd of June 2022, an agreement between the Government of Uganda represented by the Office of Prime Minister and M/S Forward Investment limited was signed.

The objective of the contract was to ensure the contractor (M/S Forward Investments Limited) restore public infrastructure affected by refugees’ influx in Kisoro district at a tune of 84,950,000 Ugandan shillings.

Director of M/S Forward Investment confirmed the development.

A total of 15, 291,000 was deducted in taxes as the agreement required an 18%VAT.

“The agreement was signed with only a few days to the end of the financial year and even then, the tax deduction did not deter me from accepting the job, Turinimana said.

10 schools in Bunagana and Muramba Sub Counties are said to have benefitted from the funds that included planned activities such as delivery of twin desks, replacement of Metallic and wooden doors, emptying pit latrines, cleaning of school compounds among others.

The director, who preferred anonymity categorically states, that no money from the contract OPM/WRKS/21- 22/00847 was sent to Kisoro district Local Government.

He commends the district engineering and Education departments for availing their staff to assist in monitoring of the activities.

The officers include Inspector of Schools Niringye Nzitus and Halerlmana Stephen from Works department.

•  Teddy Bears Primary School

Niyonzima Nelson, the school’s head teacher confirmed that a total of 10 twin desks were delivered.

Niyonzima says he wishes more works could have been done, especially on the doors however he is eternally grateful to the Government.

• Bunagana Primary School

Bigira Godfrey, the school’s head teacher says 60 twin desks were delivered, 20 windows that needed new glasses were fixed, 14 wooden doors including those of the latrine were fixed, a lightening arrestor worth 2 million shillings was installed, and two latrines (5 stance) were emptied.

Bigira says he wishes Government could compensate all the food that was eaten or destroyed by the refugees because there is a lot of hunger in the communities.

• Paul’s Giharo Primary School

Francis Basabose, the School’s head teacher commended Government for delivering 33 twin desks. He says two latrines of (4 and 5 stances respectively were never emptied)

• Joseph’s Gatabo Primary School

Kamahoro Guderia, the school’s head teacher says the Government went over and above with their support that included 100 iron sheets, delivering 10 twin desks, fixing 148 glass windows, renovating water tank door and taps as well as curtain wall for a latrine.

Other schools including Kanyampiriko Primary School, Muramba Seed Secondary School, Gisozi SDA Primary School, Gihuranda Primary School and Bunagana Pride Pre and Primary School were closed for the day.

Sources told voice of Muhabura that the schools conducted and successfully completed end of term exams yesterday.

Kisoro district Engineer James Karamira says the restoration project in all ten schools went well.

He says no money from the Office of Prime Minister was ever received by the district leadership.

“The OPM has every right to conduct an audit of the funds. This is a routine function of Government, and the district has nothing to hide”, Karamira said