Arua City Boda Boda Riders Bitter Over Alleged Missing NRM Campaign Funds
Amaku speaking over their missing money on Tuesday
ARUA CITY – Boda boda riders and some National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Arua City have expressed deep frustration over funds they claim went missing shortly after the recent elections.
Denis Droti, the Chairperson of the Arua City NRM Youth League, said boda boda riders were promised Shs500,000 per cell as facilitation across the city’s 469 cells, but none received the money.
He further alleged that mobilization funds disbursed to 419 cells in Ayivu Division were short by Shs220,000 each, in violation of guidelines from the NRM Secretariat.
The aggrieved NRM leaders and boda boda riders marched to the Mayor’s Gardens on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, carrying placards demanding explanations from Zoe Bakoko Bakoru, the Arua City NRM Chairperson, and the Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Maj. (Rtd) Betty Otekat Akello, regarding over Shs300 million allegedly missing NRM funds.
Droti stressed the need for Bakoko and the RCC to publicly clarify their positions on the missing money, warning that failure to do so could prompt protesters to march to Kampala.
“It is unfortunate that NRM leaders in Arua City failed to adhere to the guidelines issued by the NRM Secretariat on the mobilization funds,” he said. “This is a clear sign of corruption—the very thing President Museveni is always fighting. From today, if the missing money is not accounted for, no one in Arua City, including the RCC’s office, should pretend to be fighting corruption.”
Droti then led the group to the RCC’s office, only to find that Maj. (Rtd) Akello had just left and driven away.
Swadick Amaku, the Chairperson of the Arua City Boda Boda Riders’ Association, echoed the anger: “We have come back from Kampala where we learnt that only boda boda riders in Koboko and Yumbe received their money. Where is ours? We want Bakoko and the RCC to come here and explain.”
He added: “Boda boda riders did a lot of work for President Museveni, and that effort translated into his strong performance in Arua City during the last elections. How can someone sincerely pocket their money after all that?”
Rashid Yusuf Kube, the Arua Central Division NRM Chairperson, supported the protesters, describing the situation as a clear indicator of corruption if mobilization funds were not used according to party guidelines.
Kube called for a thorough investigation and urged party leadership to act against anyone found guilty of mismanaging NRM funds.
He issued a two-day ultimatum to the RCC and Bakoko to explain their positions, warning that failure to do so will force party members to lock their offices.
By press time, RCC Akello declined to comment on the allegations, stating that she was rushing for medical treatment as she entered her official vehicle and drove off.
Her Assistant in charge of Ayivu Division, Poly Ongom, appealed for calm and assured the group that his boss would address them soon after recovering.
However, Bakoko did not respond to multiple calls seeking her comments on the allegations.