ADJUMANI DISTRICT

Knowledgeable! Ambitious! Hardworking! are arguably the first things that will impress anyone about Dr. Bhoka George, the District Health Officer. I walk into his office and he stands up to usher me in, we exchange pleasantries and sit down almost in unison. His respect for others is quite admirable. It is no doubt that a quick survey had nominated him as a role model figure not just at his department but at the institutional level too.I am not surprised later when he tells me that he has barely half a year to leave the office to join politics; a task he has deferred since 2001. He quickly runs through his long list of achievements spanning from serving in Arua and Moyo hospitals to AMREF, USAID, and UNICEF. It is evident that he has been a leader for a larger part of his 51 years right from his school days including once studying in a seminary.Currently, he serves as a board chairman for Action for Development and a member of the National Steering Committee of the Health sector integrated refugees response plan of the Ministry of Health. As he hands me a copy of the response plan, I can’t help but wonder how and if these achievements are of any value to the District.Among numerous achievements he has accomplished in the last 3 years, Dr. Bhoka is passionate about having provided stewardship to the health department that saw it emerge the 1st from the 75th position. He is also proud of the various awards and rewards the departments has received especially in the management of Tuberculosis. He, however, expresses disappointment that the department dropped in performance because of the delay to harmonize the correct number of refugees. He attributes the achievements to the continuous mentorship of his staff, the belief in a common vision, the numerous implementing partners, prioritizing accountability and the cohesion between the political and technical leadership of the district.These achievements haven’t however been a bed of roses. The beginning of this beautiful journey as he looks back was quite challenging. At the time he was appointed, for example, he had to serve as both a Medical Superintendent of the Hospital and District Health Officer for some time as the recruiting authorities looked for a replacement for the former position. But that was not all, he also had an uphill task of ensuring that the people he hoped to lead had the right mindset. He explains that some people had spent many more years and therefore didn’t welcome the idea of having to do things in quite a different way. He cites an example of how hard it was to convince implementing partners to come to the district for meetings instead of a long tradition he had found in place where district officials would go and attend meeting at premises of partners.While he appreciates the fact that partners have been a great blessing to the district in many ways, the district still remains in control of anything within its mandate and that includes playing a patronage role whenever it is required. He says he is happy that partners are beginning to appreciate the capacity of the local government to deliver and manage services. A realization he believes comes handy with a looming influx of refugees.He also expressed his discomfort working with people who cared more about their personal survival than the benefit of all. This he observes undermines the beauty of service delivery and public service. One other challenge he also admits he has struggled to avert is the poor customer care at the hospital by some staff. I ask him if he is not concerned that these achievements may go to the dogs after he leaves. Dr says he is trying his best to find a successor to mentor but he has also not fully made up his mind to leave the office. He reveals that a few observers especially family members are advising him to pursue a career path to the Ministry of Health instead of tussling it out for the Obongi MP seat with his cousin.As he deliberates on the best step to take, the MP hopeful says he feels district representatives shouldn’t just be participants in parliament but influencers of national policies and advocates of lobbying. In fact, he says he would be delighted to see a district council with mainly graduates. I don’t know for sure how viable that is but I agree with his favorite quote that states that success comes from hard work and determination.PROFILE Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (Makerere University) Master of Public Health Degree (University of Leeds, UK) Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (Herriot Watt University, Scotland) Certificate in Administrative Law (Law Development Centre)  

Welcome to the home of one of the best local governments in Uganda. 22 years of independence from Moyo District has not only taught us the beauty of good service delivery but also challenges us each day to serve our people even better. It is a pleasure and indeed an honour that you have visited our site, thank you. We wish you the best as you orient yourself with what we have done in the past, are currently doing and what we hope to do. Karibu sana!

The bicycle race in Adjumani Town Council on 11th July as part of activities to mark 2019 World Population Day National Celebrations

What initially seemed like a low turn up eventually turned into a successful event with resolutions made to do more mobilization next year. The International Youth Day 2019 was commemorated with post district celebrations on August 16th at Paridi Stadium.The celebration was held under the theme: “Transforming Education” in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council, Lutheran World Federation, Global Aim, OPM, UNHCR, and Red Cross.Although not so many youths attended as required, leaders went on to make their remarks and hoped that the media would pass their messages or at the very least those in attendance would convey the key messages.The LC3 Chairman Adjumani Town Council, Tadrupasi Patrick, urged the youth to continue embracing the productive use of youth Livelihood funds because they are not future leaders but leaders of today.The Youth council chairperson, Dima Godfrey, applauded the government for prioritizing education through UPE and vocational skilling before adding that education should be competitive at the worldwide level. He also suggested that Village Education Committees be set up and equipped with capacity building trainings to reduce school dropouts and increase enrollment. He also tasked the district to implement government policies and ordinances on betting and gambling.The Vice-Chairman, Anyanzo John Ambayo, advised the youth to abandon betting and instead embrace vocational ventures as they look for their ideal jobs. He also encouraged those still in school to take up studies in Information Technology because soon there will be an abundant need for the skill in the West Nile Region as government as already earmarked a suitable project.The RDC, Taban Data Peter, intimated that his office was in the process of arresting those who stage illegal discos and they could spend up to 40 years in jail. The RDC then rewarded football teams of Mireyi and the town Council who had officially opened the ceremony with a match.