Sub County chief arrested over theft of OWC heifers, Shs3m
What you need to know:
- The CAO, Mr Fredrick Semwogere, when contacted acknowledged the cases but said it wasn't police that was supposed to handle the cases.
Police in Bududa District have arrested Bumayoka Sub County Chief for allegedly stealing three heifers that were meant to be distributed to farmers under Operation Wealth creation (OWC).
Ms Lydia Betty Bikhole, who was picked by police on Monday, is also accused of stealing Shs 3.5m under youth livelihood funds belonging to Lwangoye youth group, a number of beehives and medical drugs worth millions of shillings.
The Bududa District Police Commander, Ms Esther Adeke confirmed the arrest and said investigations are ongoing.
“The suspect was arrested on a number of cases including, theft of heifers, youth livelihood funds, beehives and medical drugs but investigations are still ongoing,” she said.
Ms Adeke said the suspect was briefly detained at Bududa central Police Station for interrogation and statement recording over sabotaging government programmes before she was released on police bond.
“We summoned her several times but she snubbed them prompting us to arrest her,” he said.
Mr Adeke further noted that the three stolen heifers were meant for Lulubi Tubana women group.
She, however, said the suspect’s arrest should be a warning to civil servants sabotaging government programmes.
“This should be a warning to civil servants that failing government programme through sabotage of any nature, be it theft, corruption, embezzlement, is unlawful and we as (Police), we are ready to deal with them,” Ms Adeke, said.
The Bududa District LC5 chairperson, Mr Wilson Watira said they had received several petitions against Bikhole’s conduct.
“We have been receiving complaints ranging from corruption, abuse of office, misuse of government funds about the suspect. It is good that they have finally arrested her,” he said.
Mr Watira said they instructed police to arrest Bikhole after they felt the CAO was reluctant to institute a committee to investigate her.
“We instructed for her arrest after realising that CAO was not ready to help us. We are determined to fight poverty but it’s the government officials failing us,” he said.
The area district Councillor, Mr David Mayeku Musene said the suspect should be dealt with accordingly to send a strong message to other civil servants involving in corruption and misuse of government projects intended to fight poverty.
The CAO, Mr Fredrick Semwogere, when contacted acknowledged the cases but said it wasn't police that was supposed to handle the cases.
“Those cases were not supposed to be handled by Police,” Mr Semwogere, said without indulging into more details.
