Details have emerged in the alleged diversion and illegal sale of government-supplied hoes in Bukedea District after the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) confirmed that the farm tools were officially delivered to district local governments and meant for immediate distribution to households.

Bukedea County Member of Parliament, Ikojo John Bosco has petitioned the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) demanding investigations into claims that a consignment of hoes meant for farmers in Bukedea District was diverted, sold and never reached the intended beneficiaries.

“I hereby lodge a formal complaint and constitutionally request an investigation into allegations of diversion, misappropriation, and unauthorized sale of government property (hand hoes) in Bukedea District,” Ikojo said in a letter dated January 4, 2026.

According to the MP, the hoes were supplied under a government agricultural intervention led by MAAIF but were allegedly diverted before being received and recorded at the district stores, contrary to public finance and stores management regulations.

“It is alleged that the said hoes were not officially received, recorded, or accounted for at the district stores as required under the law,” the petition reads.

The complaint gains further weight following a circular issued by the Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary, Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama, dated December 17, 2025, which confirms that hoes were procured, allocated and scheduled for delivery to district local governments, including those in the Eastern Region.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is in the process of procuring 7,000,000 plain hand hoes for delivery to all the District Local Governments for distribution to farming households, as an intervention aimed at enhancing agricultural production at the household level,” Kasura-Kyomukama stated in the circular.

He explained that the Ministry of Finance had released UGX 20 billion out of the required UGX 56 billion, enabling MAAIF to issue call-off orders for 2.4 million hoes, which were subsequently allocated to districts, starting with the Eastern Region.

“This allocation has been guided by the National Population and Housing Census 2024 and delivery is scheduled to commence on 19th December 2025,” the Permanent Secretary noted.

Kasura-Kyomukama further emphasized that the service providers were instructed to deliver the hoes directly to district local government stores and that district authorities were responsible for proper receipt, storage and immediate distribution.

“The service providers will deliver the hand hoes to District Local Government stores, and you are requested to undertake the necessary administrative and technical processes to receive and distribute the hand hoes,” the circular reads.

He stressed that the hoes were not meant to be stored or sold but distributed directly to households, with strict accountability measures put in place.

“These hoes should be immediately distributed to households at a rate of one hoe per household, and a clear record should be made of the distribution, including individual NIN, telephone number, village, parish, sub-county and district,” Kasura-Kyomukama directed.

The records, he added, were to be submitted to MAAIF by January 30, 2025, and district officials were required to issue receipt documents to service providers to enable payment processing.

Against this backdrop, MP Ikojo alleges that in Bukedea District, the process was deliberately undermined. He claims the diverted hoes were later sold to a political leader at approximately UGX 2,000 per hoe and kept at a private residence instead of reaching farmers.

“The hoes were unofficially and illegally possessed at an individual private residence, and the intended beneficiaries have not been able to receive the said goods, thereby defeating the purpose of the programme and occasioning loss to the Government of Uganda,” he said.

The legislator has asked the IGG to investigate the entire chain, from procurement and transportation to receipt, storage and distribution, and to establish responsibility among accounting and oversight officers, including the Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Finance Officer and members of the district technical teams.

He also wants investigations into allegations that proceed from the alleged sale were unlawfully shared among some district and political officials.

“The alleged acts, if established, may constitute abuse of office, neglect of duty, corruption, and violation of public finance and procurement laws,” Ikojo noted, urging the IGG to act decisively to safeguard public resources and restore public confidence in government programmes.

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The Government of Uganda has dismissed claims circulating on social media that it plans to shut down the internet during the forthcoming elections and described the reports as false, misleading and intended to cause unnecessary fear among the public.

In a statement issued on Monday, January 5, 2026, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde said government has neither announced nor taken any decision to disrupt internet services during the election period.

“The Government has not announced, directed, or implemented any decision to shut down the internet during the election period. Claims suggesting otherwise are false and misleading,” Dr. Zawedde said.

She noted that while public engagement naturally intensifies as the country approaches elections, there has also been a rise in misinformation, particularly on digital platforms, which risks undermining public confidence and heightening national tension.

“Such misinformation unnecessarily creates fear, undermines public confidence, and risks heightening tension at a critical national moment,” she added.

Dr. Zawedde reaffirmed government’s commitment to access to information, digital inclusion and the responsible use of information and communication technologies, stressing that ICTs and media platforms play a central role in democratic participation, especially during elections.

“ICTs and media platforms play a central role in democratic participation by enabling citizens to access accurate and timely information. That role becomes even more critical during elections,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary revealed that the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance is working closely with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to prepare the media sector for the election period through nationwide sensitisation programmes.

“Together, we have engaged broadcasters and media stakeholders across the country to reinforce professionalism, ethical conduct and accountability in election coverage,” Dr. Zawedde noted.

She warned that irresponsible media coverage could threaten peace and national stability, emphasizing that media platforms must not be used to incite violence, spread falsehoods or undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

“Responsible media coverage during elections is not optional. It is essential for peace, public order and national stability,” the statement reads.

Dr. Zawedde further cautioned broadcasters and online media practitioners against live broadcasting or streaming of riots, unlawful processes or violent incidents, noting that such actions are prohibited and punishable by law. She also reminded the public that the declaration of election results remains the sole mandate of the Electoral Commission.

“The broadcasting or sharing of unverified or premature results is illegal,” she stressed.

The statement also highlighted that digital platforms are subject to existing laws, including the Computer Misuse Act, and that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly and within the law.

Meanwhile, the Uganda Communications Commission has been tasked with actively monitoring both broadcast and online media, with regulatory sanctions to be applied where violations occur.

Dr. Zawedde urged journalists, media owners, digital publishers and the public to rely on verified information and official sources, and to reject misinformation aimed at causing fear or division.

“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that ICTs and the media contribute to peaceful, credible elections and national unity,” she said.

She also called on all citizens to use digital platforms in the service of truth, stability and the public good.

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The Government of Uganda, through the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) has introduced the Katale Loan, a new financing product aimed at empowering market vendors and small-scale traders with quick, affordable and accessible credit.

Speaking at the launch, Tadeo Atuhura, Communications Manager at the Microfinance Support Centre, said the product was designed to address long-standing financing challenges faced by traders in urban markets.

“We are very excited that, as an institution, we are introducing a new product. The Government of Uganda, through the Microfinance Support Centre, has… introduced the Katale Affordable Loan product, a transformative financing solution designed to empower market vendors and small-scale traders with quick, affordable and accessible credit,” Atuhura said.

He explained that the loan attracts an interest rate of 8 per cent per year, making it one of the most affordable financing options available to traders.

“This particular Katale product is offered at 8 percent interest per year, which is very important for most of our beneficiaries,” he noted.

The Katale Affordable Loan will initially benefit traders operating in nine major markets across the country, including Owino, Nakasero, Kalerwe, Busega, Gaba and Nakawa markets in Kampala, as well as Iganga Market, Soroti Market and Arua City Market.

According to Atuhura, the main objective of the product is to help traders expand their enterprises, stabilise incomes and break free from exploitative high-interest lending.

“The purpose is to enable traders to expand their enterprises, stabilise their incomes and escape the exploitative high interest rates that exist within their field of trade,” he said.

Under the Katale loan arrangement, beneficiaries access financing through group-based lending, where applicants form groups of ten members who guarantee one another. The product is collateral-free and does not require land titles or assets as security.

“Each individual may borrow between Shs50,000 and Shs2 million, depending on their repayment capacity. This promotes collective responsibility, savings discipline and financial inclusion,” Atuhura added.

He emphasized that the Katale loan goes beyond financial support.

“This product is more than just a loan. It is a pathway to dignity, stability and growth for market vendors. By offering affordable credit at 8 per cent per year and anchoring access through organised groups, the Microfinance Support Centre is protecting traders from predatory lending while strengthening savings discipline and enterprise sustainability,” he said.

Atuhura further noted that over the last 25 years, MSC has played a key role in Uganda’s financial inclusion agenda, supporting Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation [SACCOs] and community groups and directly and indirectly reaching about 7.5 million Ugandans.

He added that the Katale loan aligns with the institution’s newly launched 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, which focuses on expanding inclusive financial services, scaling enterprise development and job creation, strengthening institutional sustainability and leveraging technology. The plan is aligned with Uganda Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV.

Early beneficiaries have already started accessing the funds, including traders at Nakasero Market.

Faridah Nakabuye, an onion vendor at Nakasero Market and one of the first beneficiaries, welcomed the loan, saying it had eased access to capital for traders.

“I’m impressed with this affordable loan meant for people working in Katale. I have received a Shs1 million loan without moving around as we do with banks. The money has come directly to my account,” Nakabuye said.

She added that, unlike banks, the Katale loan does not require collateral.

“Banks keep asking us for collateral, but for this Katale loan, all they need is a national ID and your SACCO group. It will boost my business, and I will make sure I pay it on time because of the low interest rate and apply for another one. I thank the government for thinking about ordinary people like us,” she said.

Market leaders have also welcomed the initiative. Ritah Nandutu, Chairperson of the Onion Department at Nakasero Market, said the loan would unlock growth for traders who previously lacked capital.

“I am happy, as a leader of the onion department at Nakasero, that my members have received money. This Katale loan will help our businesses grow because we have the market but lack capital. I thank the Microfinance Support Centre and the government for this package,” Nandutu said.

With its low interest rate, collateral-free structure and group-based lending model, the Katale Loan is expected to significantly boost business growth, protect livelihoods and strengthen Uganda’s informal economy.

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