A government project meant to house the Butaleja District administration has become a symbol of stalled progress and alleged corruption, nearly two decades after its inception.
Despite the injection of more than shs2 billion over the years, the district administrative block remains incomplete, triggering frustration among local leaders and residents.
Tempers flared in the latest district council sitting as councilors accused the technical leadership of gross mismanagement and failure to account for funds allocated for the project.
"Is it the works or gender department where the money went? Every budget cycle they come up with different things. We’re tired," lamented one councillor.
Another councillor added, "If we truly want Butaleja to thrive, we must focus our meagre resources on completing this house. We all know that money meant for the facility was eaten."
Councillor Wasanya revealed that efforts to scrutinize the project’s expenditure have been deliberately frustrated. "One of us even brought a motion to establish how much has been spent since the project began. But up to now, no report has been presented," he said.
District Speaker Hamira Yunusu pinned the prolonged delay on a leadership vacuum that has allowed funds to be siphoned off without accountability.
"The delay is partially due to leadership failure," Yunusu told reporters. "Construction was being attempted without proper contracting, which left the funds vulnerable. Many ended up in the hands of local leaders instead of serving the intended purpose."
In what is seen as a last-ditch effort to salvage the project, the district council has now approved an additional shs245 million .
The funds will go towards partial completion of the building, including a few rooms that will house the offices of the Chief Administrative Officer and the District Chairperson.
"We have now approved shs245 million to make the building usable," said Yunusu. "It will only be a partial completion for now, but it’s a necessary step as we seek more support to finish the entire structure."
As the district grapples with constrained budgets and rising public pressure, the fate of the long-stalled administration block remains a critical test of Butaleja’s governance and commitment to service delivery.