Alleged Missing Shs147m NRM Mobilization Fund Sparks fresh Accountability Concerns in Arua City
The disputed group comprising central division NRM leaders, Bodaboda riders and supporters, with placards issuing statement on the alleged missing money Photo by Matata Benzamin
Arua City Central Division NRM leaders, boda boda riders and party supporters are demanding proper accountability over more than Shs147 million reportedly allocated for voter mobilization and transportation of special needs during the January presidential and parliamentary elections.
The group made the demands on Saturday 22nd of August 2026 at Arua City Council Hall, where some NRM leaders called for an independent party structure in the city to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in the management of party funds.
Yusuf Rashid Kube, the NRM chairperson for Arua Central Division, alleged that Shs147 million meant to facilitate the transportation of persons with special needs and other voters during the elections had not been properly accounted for.
Kube said the money was intended to support mobilization efforts across the city’s 469 villages, with each village expected to receive 300,000 shillings.
“I call a spade a spade. You must vomit that money. Why do you run away from accountability?” Kube asked.
“You intimidate voters, and the boda boda riders that you are going to arrest them. So long as I am here, you are lying to yourself.” He said.
“Instead, why don’t you come out and account for that money, the 147 million shillings?”
Kube requested, “My humble request to the Secretariat and the national chairman, is we want to be independent because we can’t work with corrupt people in the same office.”
The accountability concerns follow remarks made by Bakoko Zoa Bakoru, the NRM chairperson for Arua City, during a press conference held on Wednesday August 19, 2026. The press conference came after boda boda riders confronted the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, during his anti-corruption campaign tour in West Nile.
Bakoko denied receiving any money specifically meant for boda boda riders. She said the funds she handled were for facilitating party structures and were used for voter mobilization.
“My silence did not mean guilt. I am a loyal cadre of NRM because they know they did not give me money for border borders.” She stated.
“They know how much money they gave for the bodaboda riders. They know how we were supposed to use the money for voter protection and transport. And I can, I will be able to explain that to the Secretary General when I meet him.” Bakoko explained during the press conference on Wednesday.
She further added, “My home has been attacked, by the bodaboda riders. You see them, they have been unleashed. My protector is God.”
However, Swadik Amaku, the chairperson of the Arua City Boda Boda Industry, disputed the explanation and said boda boda riders performed their role in transporting voters to polling stations during the elections.
Amaku said the riders were demanding payment for the services they provided and will continue pursuing the matter until the money is accounted for.
“Our names were already tagged, and then you want to deny us? We have all the right to follow that money. Where it came from? Where it went?” Amaku questioned.
“If I say our flag bearer lost here in the central division, it is because the money which was meant for mobilization for mobilization were not being given to the right persons. A lot of money is being mismanaged.”
“For us, we shall follow the money that belongs to us and talk about it until it is accounted for.” He said.
The group now wants the Arua City NRM leadership to provide a clear account of how the funds were received, distributed and used, arguing for greater transparency.