Newly elected Local Council I (LC1) and Local Council II (LC2) leaders in Soroti District have been warned against misusing their official stamps and offices for personal gain, amid concerns over animal theft, fraud and bribery.
Hon. Francis Orisa, Secretary for Works and Production at Soroti District Local Government, said the official stamp, signature and telephone contact entrusted to each local leader are important tools that must be used responsibly and strictly for their intended purposes.
Orisa urged the leaders to exercise caution when issuing documents, particularly letters authorising the sale or transfer of livestock. He said leaders should verify the ownership of animals and establish whether the person seeking the letter genuinely resides in the village indicated.
He warned that cases of animal theft and mismanagement of resources can easily be facilitated when local leaders issue documents without proper verification.
“When something happens in your area, the first person people look for is the local leader,” Orisa said, emphasising that LC1 and LC2 leaders have a responsibility to protect security and property within their communities.
He also cautioned leaders against issuing letters to individuals simply because they claim to be friends or relatives. Instead, such individuals should be advised to obtain verification from local authorities in the areas where they reside.
Meanwhile, Soroti District Speaker David Abwanyi warned the newly elected leaders against using their positions to recover money spent during election campaigns.
Abwanyi said some leaders could be tempted to demand money from residents after spending heavily during campaigns, but stressed that public office is meant to serve communities.
He condemned reports of residents being charged between Shs5,000 and Shs50,000 for LC1 letters, describing the practice as extortion.
He urged the leaders to serve residents with integrity, avoid bribery and ensure their offices promote accountability, security and community development.
