Nebbi District in Uganda is grappling with mounting tensions between political leaders and the district’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Dorothy Ajwang. At a critical council meeting on December 22, 2025, local councillors voiced their strong dissatisfaction with Ajwang’s leadership, demanding her immediate transfer. The councillors accuse her of failing to execute council resolutions and overseeing a period of slow and substandard service delivery, causing frustration among both political and technical arms of the district.
The call for Ajwang’s removal was led by Hon. Brian Kissa, a councillor from Alala Sub-county, who directly criticized the CAO for her failure to implement essential government programs. Kissa pointed to the delayed development of key infrastructure projects, accusing Ajwang of neglecting her duties and allowing subpar work to persist in the district. His statement reflects a growing sense of anger towards the CAO’s alleged inability to meet the expectations of both the council and the community.
Kissa went further to accuse Ajwang of habitual absenteeism, claiming that her lack of presence in the office had severely undermined accountability and supervision in the district. This absence, according to Kissa, has resulted in inefficient management and incomplete projects, leaving residents frustrated with the slow pace of development in Nebbi.
Adding weight to the criticism, Hon. Francis Owonda Omer, the Chairperson for Production, Marketing, Works, and Technical Services, expressed concerns about Ajwang’s failure to follow through with vital infrastructure projects. Specifically, he pointed to the troubled Ndew, Mamba, and Atego Seed Schools, which have been delayed under Ajwang’s watch. Omer also alleged that funds meant for the maintenance of a key road, the Kucwiny–Fualwonga road, were misallocated to another project, the Kei–Goli road, without proper authorization. This, he argued, was an example of the CAO’s disregard for financial accountability.
Geoffrey Thorwinyuwa, a councillor from Thatha Division, highlighted the ongoing tension between the district’s technical and political wings. He attributed the dysfunction to a lack of coordination, with Ajwang’s infrequent presence in the office leaving a vacuum that has hindered effective governance. Thorwinyuwa underscored the importance of unity between the district’s administration and political leaders, stressing that the CAO’s actions—or lack thereof—had created a rift detrimental to service delivery.
The frustrations were echoed by Erussi Sub-county councillor, Choo-thum Brown, who emphasized Ajwang’s failure to bridge the gap between the political leadership and civil servants. He argued that the CAO had failed in her role as the link between the two arms of the district, further destabilizing governance and impeding the execution of council policies. Brown’s comments reflect the broader discontent felt across the district regarding the leadership’s inability to function cohesively.
Despite these growing concerns, the Speaker of the Nebbi District Council, Ongan Kisito, cautioned councillors to adhere to proper procedures when demanding the CAO’s transfer. He reminded them that any actions taken outside the established channels could potentially harm the district’s interests. Kisito’s warning signals a need for due process, despite the rising calls for immediate action against Ajwang.
Ajwang, who took over as Nebbi’s CAO in July 2023 after the departure of her predecessor, Wamburo David, has thus far remained silent amid the storm of criticism. Attempts to reach her for comment have been unsuccessful, with reports indicating that she is out of the district. As tensions continue to escalate, the district awaits further developments on how the matter will be resolved.
