ARDC Okello Urges Alebtong Residents to Report Leaders Demanding Bribes in Livestock Restocking Programs

Alebtong District – The Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) of Alebtong District, Jimmy Okello, has warned local leaders against soliciting bribes from beneficiaries of government livestock restocking programmes and urged residents to immediately report any cases of corruption.

Speaking during a community engagement meeting in Alebtong, Okello said the government introduced livestock restocking initiatives to improve household incomes, fight poverty, and boost agricultural production, not to enrich a few individuals through corrupt practices.

He expressed concern over reports that some local leaders and officials allegedly demand money from intended beneficiaries before including them on beneficiary lists or facilitating the distribution of livestock.

According to Okello, such actions undermine government efforts to uplift vulnerable households and deny deserving citizens access to public services.

> "The livestock restocking programme is a government intervention meant to help ordinary Ugandans improve their livelihoods. No beneficiary should be asked to pay money to access livestock provided under government programmes. Anyone demanding a bribe should be reported immediately to the relevant authorities," he said.

The ARDC emphasized that corruption remains one of the biggest obstacles to effective service delivery and called upon citizens to play an active role in exposing corrupt individuals.

He noted that the government under President Yoweri Museveni has invested heavily in wealth creation programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Programme, and livestock restocking initiatives, all aimed at transforming household incomes.

Okello urged beneficiaries to remain vigilant and avoid being manipulated by individuals seeking personal gain from public programmes.

He further warned that any public official or local leader found extorting money from beneficiaries would face disciplinary action and possible prosecution under Uganda's anti-corruption laws.

Residents were encouraged to use established government channels, including the offices of the RDC, ARDC, Chief Administrative Officer, and security agencies, to report incidents of bribery, extortion, and abuse of office.

Community members welcomed the directive, saying corruption has often prevented genuine beneficiaries from accessing government support programmes. They called for stronger monitoring mechanisms and regular audits to ensure transparency in the selection and distribution process.

The government's livestock restocking programme has been implemented across several districts as part of broader efforts to increase household incomes, enhance food security, and promote commercial agriculture among rural communities.

Local leaders and development stakeholders have repeatedly emphasized that the success of such programmes depends on transparency, accountability, and active community participation in monitoring public resources.