BAKOKO REJECTS ALLEGATIONS OVER SHS 147M BODA FUNDS

Hon. Bakoko while speaking to the boda boda leaders as other party officials keep watch. Photo by Morish Dramadri

The Arua City NRM party chairperson and former minister for Gender, Labor and social development, Hon. Bakoko Bakoru Zoe, has refuted allegations by boda boda riders that he embezzled more than 140 million shillings allegedly meant to facilitate the transportation of people with disabilities and sick voters during the recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections.

On Friday last week, boda boda riders in Arua City, under their umbrella body, stormed the convoy of the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, as he headed to Maracha District for his anti-corruption crusade.

The riders, carrying placards, alleged that 300,000 shillings meant for transportation per cell, amounting to about 147 million shillings, had been swindled.

The protest prompted Minister Balaam to contact the NRM Director of Administration and Finance, Hajjat Medina Nahaam Ojale, by phone to inquire about the matter.

Hajjat Medina subsequently mentioned the Arua City NRM chairperson, Hon. Bakoko Bakoru Zoe, and the minister directed her to address the allegations.

Members of Arua city boda boda association and other NRM party members listening attentively during the press conference. Photo by Morish Dramadri

While responding to the media over the claims on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Arua city council hall, Hon. Bakoko denied any embezzlement, insisting that the NRM party did not allocate money to boda boda riders for the transportation of voters.

“Hon. Balaam was ambushed with party issues. I don’t fault him. By ambushing him, you helped me to finally come out and address this issue. My silence did not mean guilt. NRM issues are discussed within the NRM structures. We have the disciplinary committee in the secretariat and the CEC, which address issues of NRM. I am taking this issue to them because they know they did not give me money for the boda bodas,” Hon. Bakoko said.

According to a circular from the NRM National Treasurer dated January 11, 2026, and copied to the party Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, the party instructed district officials to meaningfully utilise funds deposited into their accounts for final campaign activities.

The circular, signed by NRM National Treasurer Hon. Amb. Barbara Nekesa Oundo, provided for 300,000 shillings per village in rural districts and 500,000 shillings per cell in urban areas to facilitate final campaign barazas.

It also provided 40,000 shillings for each boda boda rider, inclusive of fuel, to support the final campaign drives.

The part of the circular dated 11, January 2026, guiding the use of the last minute sums deposited into district and city NRM accounts. Photo by Morish Dramadri

However, Hon. Bakoko maintains that the only funds received by the Arua City NRM structure were meant for voter mobilisation and vote protection.

His response later provoked the boda boda riders, who had stormed the press conference seeking direct answers from the NRM chairperson.

Arua City boda boda chairman, Amaku Swadick, says that even if the money was not specifically allocated to boda boda riders, the party should account for funds whose disbursement documents bear their name.

“This money in question is huge. Though it was not meant for the boda bodas, their name has already been used, even on the circular. We have all these records. Our demand is simple: if people have robbed us, what do we do?” Amaku demanded.

The controversy comes amid questions over the legality of using campaign funds to transport specific categories of voters.

Under Uganda’s Presidential Elections Act, 2005, as amended, offering money or other inducements to influence voters’ choices can amount to an electoral offence.

The allegations therefore raise questions not only about accountability for the funds but also about the appropriate use of party resources during elections.

As the dispute unfolds, the boda boda riders are demanding accountability, while Hon. Bakoko says he will refer the matter to the appropriate NRM party structures for investigation and determination.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis