Tororo Municipality Under Fire for Alleged Shs128 Million Procurement Overpricing

Tororo Municipality is facing intense scrutiny following allegations of significant overpricing in its procurement of materials for road and drainage projects. A recent anti-corruption tour led by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara highlighted concerns that the municipality may have lost approximately Shs128.4 million due to inflated costs for cement and culverts.

During the tour, Minister Barugahara questioned the procurement details, noting that cement, manufactured locally in Tororo, was allegedly purchased at Shs50,000 per bag, significantly higher than the market price of around Shs32,000. Similarly, six-millimetre culverts were reportedly bought for Shs245,000 each, while their market value is estimated at Shs90,000.

These discrepancies have drawn sharp criticism from various stakeholders. Peter Ekikina, president of the Municipal Development Forum, described the alleged amount as a severe instance of impunity, emphasizing that such sums should not be “eaten like popcorn.” Tororo Municipality Mayor Benard Ochieng also expressed disbelief that such prices could have been approved by municipal technical staff and leadership.

The controversy surfaces amidst ongoing issues with persistent flooding and poor road conditions in Tororo Municipality, which stakeholders attribute partly to inadequate drainage systems. Manyadi Al-Jamal Jayz, chairperson of the Western Division, pointed out that the funds allegedly lost through overpricing could have been used to develop new roads, improving infrastructure in the municipality.

In the previous financial year, Tororo Municipality allocated Shs683 million from its Shs1 billion road fund for maintenance. While some projects have been implemented, the focus remains on ensuring that public funds are managed efficiently and accountably, with calls for reforms in public servant employment policies to enhance performance-based accountability.

Source: Nile Post