Geofrey Oloyo falls into the mix of mafias

By Angela Nyakuni

In a twist of events, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, has released a press briefing, claiming  that Geoffrey Oloya, who was the first recipient of the Government’s COVID-19 Relief Cash, today presented himself before Gulu City authorities and dispelled all falsehoods that have been labelling him as a “ghost” recipient of the Relief Cash.

The press release clarified that media reports purporting that Oloya had been arrested are false and should be disregarded.

Oloya, a resident of Gulu City, first shot to prominence when the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, made a call to him as the first recipient of the special fund. The fund was meant to support vulnerable persons within KCCA, Cities and Municipalities who depended on daily earnings but were affected by the COVID-19 containment measures.

However, the facts around Oloya took an unfortunate turn when reports circulated claiming that Oloya had never been a bodaboda rider and that he was unknown in Gulu. The press release claims that after hearing of the misinformation about him, Oloya today presented himself to authorities in his Division of residence to set the facts straight.

He reportedly confirmed that he indeed is a boda boda rider and that he received both the money and the famous telephone call from the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister. “I have been busy in my garden in Nyamukino village, Lumulu Sub County at the far end of Nwoya district, where network is very poor and that’s the reason my line has been unreachable,” Oloya reportedly said.

“I first heard of the falsehoods around my name last week when Members of Parliament came to Gulu. I felt so embarrassed because I am a vulnerable person and do boda boda riding within Gulu city.”

He recalled the process he went through to receive the COVID cash. “When I heard about the COVID-19 Cash, I followed the procedures and got registered. I later received the money and immediately bought seeds of soya and rice which I went to plant in my garden. This is where the unfortunate news found me,” Oloya said.

He described the reports that label him as a “ghost recipient” as “unfortunate”. “I want to really thank the government for the support.” He noted. By this afternoon, Oloya was still working with a string of local authorities including the Resident City Commissioner, Gulu City Mayor, City Town Clerk and representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to document the facts.