Government is set to conduct a 12-day monitoring exercise in Karamoja to assess the implementation of infrastructure projects and wealth-creation programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and the Karachuna economic empowerment initiative.
The exercise, scheduled for November 16 to 27, 2026, will be led by Minister of State for Economic Monitoring Sandra Santa Alum-Ogwag, who says the team will establish whether government investments are reaching the intended beneficiaries and delivering tangible improvements to communities.
According to Alum-Ogwag, the government has so far disbursed Shs1.92 billion under the PDM in Karamoja, while Shs10.3 billion has been provided to eligible groups under Emyooga, bringing the combined funding for the two programmes to Shs12.22 billion.
The monitoring exercise will cover the nine districts that make up the Karamoja sub-region, with particular attention to the performance of government-funded projects, accountability and the management of public resources.
“Our purpose is to recognise achievements, identify implementation gaps, and agree on corrective actions with the responsible institutions and district leadership,” Alum-Ogwag said in a press briefing on Thursday.
Karamoja, which has a population of 1,496,117 according to the 2024 Uganda Bureau of Statistics census, has enormous economic potential in livestock, minerals, agriculture and other natural resources.
However, the region continues to face water scarcity, poor road connectivity, recurrent drought, unemployment and limited access to finance and markets, challenges that have affected production and household incomes.
Alum-Ogwag said the team would inspect selected government infrastructure projects, including roads, dams, valley tanks, boreholes, irrigation facilities and markets, to establish their progress, quality, functionality and utilisation.
The exercise will also examine whether contractors have fulfilled their contractual obligations, whether projects are completed within the agreed timelines, and whether adequate arrangements have been made for their maintenance.
“Our focus will be on whether these investments are delivering tangible benefits to communities through reliable water supply, improved road access and functional markets that support trade,” she said.
She warned that incomplete, defective or underutilised projects would be brought to the attention of responsible institutions for corrective action to ensure communities receive the services for which public funds were allocated.
Under the Parish Development Model, the team will establish whether the Shs1.92 billion disbursed to the region has reached the intended beneficiaries and whether households are investing the money in productive enterprises.
The programme targets households engaged in activities suited to local conditions, including livestock keeping, crop production, poultry and beekeeping, as government seeks to move families from subsistence production into the money economy.
“We will establish whether funds have reached the intended beneficiaries, whether selection followed programme guidelines, and whether the resources are supporting productive enterprises,” Alum-Ogwag said.
The team will also examine beneficiaries’ access to agricultural extension services, financial literacy, infrastructure and markets, as well as loan management and repayment to ensure other households can benefit from the programme.
Under Emyooga, which supports occupational groups to mobilise savings, access affordable financing, and expand their businesses, the government has provided Shs10.3 billion to eligible groups in Karamoja.
The monitoring team will assess the functionality of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs), focusing on governance, member participation, savings, lending, loan recovery, record keeping and the management of government seed capital.
” SACCO leaders must account to their members, and funds must be properly managed, recovered and revolved in accordance with programme guidelines,” she said.
The exercise will also examine the Karachuna economic empowerment intervention, which targets reformed youth with financial knowledge and opportunities to engage in productive economic activities.
With support from institutions such as the Microfinance Support Centre, the initiative is intended to strengthen the livelihoods of young people and support lasting peace in the region.
Alum-Ogwag said the team would establish whether the intended beneficiaries had received the promised support, how resources had been utilised and whether the enterprises established were generating income.
She said the success of the intervention would be measured through improved incomes, viable livelihoods and the continued participation of beneficiaries in peaceful and productive activities.
The minister further warned that any suspected cases of corruption, embezzlement, or misuse of public resources uncovered during the exercise would be documented and referred to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation.
“Any suspected cases of corruption, embezzlement or misuse of public resources identified during the exercise will be documented and referred to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation and appropriate action,” she said.
At the end of the exercise, the Office of the President will convene an exit meeting with district leaders and representatives of relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to discuss preliminary findings and agree on recommendations.
Her office will subsequently follow up on the implementation of the recommendations to ensure that identified shortcomings are addressed.
Alum-Ogwag called on district leaders, implementing institutions, SACCO officials, and beneficiaries to cooperate with the monitoring team, urging residents to openly share their experiences.
“The people of Karamoja deserve tangible results from the government investments. Through accountable leadership, effective implementation, and sustained follow-up, we must ensure that these investments create lasting opportunities and improve livelihoods across the sub-region,” she said.
