By Alfred Opio
PALLISA — Tension escalated at Pallisa District headquarters on Tuesday after angry community members stormed the office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Felix Alex Majeme, and locked it over allegations of poor leadership and failure to cooperate with district technical staff.
The dramatic protest unfolded while the CAO was attending a security meeting at the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC). Protesters reportedly carried pieces of furniture and nailed them onto the office entrance, blocking access to the office upon his return.
The incident attracted district leaders, security personnel, and members of the public who gathered to witness the unfolding confrontation at the district headquarters.
Speaking shortly after the protest, several residents accused Majeme of incompetence and poor working relations with district technocrats, claiming that his leadership style had negatively affected service delivery across the district.
According to the protesters, the CAO rarely communicates effectively with technical staff and allegedly ignores phone calls from officers seeking guidance on district operations and implementation of government programs.
Community members further alleged that development activities such as water extension projects, road rehabilitation works, and other government-funded programs had stalled because the CAO reportedly delayed approving and signing critical documents.
“The district is suffering because funds and projects delay unnecessarily. We need leaders who can cooperate with others and support development,” one protester said during the demonstration.
Some residents also accused the CAO of arrogance and mistreatment of members of the public seeking assistance from his office, alleging that some clients are often turned away without receiving help.
The protest received backing from Pallisa District LC5 Chairperson Ben Okiria, who openly praised the community members for taking action.
Okiria accused the CAO of frustrating development programs and failing to support district initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of residents.
According to the LC5 chairperson, the district council reportedly passed a resolution on May 9 directing the CAO to peacefully leave the district within 15 days.
Okiria further alleged that the district speaker, Joshua Omugit, had failed to sign council minutes related to the resolution after allegedly receiving a bribe from the CAO — claims that had not independently been verified by press time.
“We want a leader who is ready to work with people and support development programs in Pallisa. If he cannot work with district officials and the community, then he should leave peacefully,” Okiria reportedly stated.
However, CAO Felix Alex Majeme strongly condemned the locking of his office, describing the action as illegal and unacceptable.
Speaking to journalists after the incident, Majeme accused certain district leaders of allegedly manipulating community members to fuel the ongoing conflict within the district administration.
“The community is not acting on its own. There are people behind this confusion,” Majeme said.
He emphasized that public servants can only be removed through lawful and established government procedures, not through protests and illegal actions.
“If anyone has issues with a government worker, there are legal procedures to follow instead of resorting to illegal acts like locking offices,” he added.
Security personnel, including police officers, later intervened to restore calm and prevent further escalation of the situation at the district headquarters.
Police confirmed that investigations into the incident had commenced and that efforts were underway to identify individuals involved in locking the CAO’s office.
The incident has exposed deepening tensions between the political leadership and technical staff in Pallisa District, raising fresh concerns about governance, accountability, and service delivery within the local government.
Residents and stakeholders are now calling for dialogue and government intervention to restore harmony among district leaders and ensure uninterrupted implementation of public programs and services.
