Mbale land boss interdicted over corruption charges

Mbale District land board secretary, Mr Godfrey Mutenyo. CURTESY PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • According to Mr Ekachelan’s letter dated April 8, 2019, Mr Mutenyo was interdicted on orders of Inspector General of Government over abuse of office.

MBALE: The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Mbale District, Mr Esau Ekachelan has interdicted the district land board secretary, Mr Godfrey Mutenyo over allegations of corruption.
According to Mr Ekachelan’s letter dated April 8, 2019, Mr Mutenyo was interdicted on orders of Inspector General of Government over abuse of office.

“…I was directed to interdict you from service on abuse of office contrary to section 2(a) and 26 of the anti- corruption act, 2009 under the criminal case No.043/2019…,” the letter read in part.
The letter reads further, “It is against this allegation that you are instructed to set aside executing your functions to allow smooth investigations into the case”.

Mr Ekachelan, when contacted confirmed that Mr Mutenyo had been interdicted with immediate effect and he is not allowed to appear near the office premises.
He also revealed that the district land board cartographer, Mary Kakai was also interdicted over the same allegations of soliciting bribes.
“While on interdiction, they are not allowed to appear near the office premises as the case is still going on in court and they are not also allowed to leave the country without my permission,” he said.
Earlier, the Inspector General of government had written to CAO directing him to immediately interdict Mr Mutenyo over corruption related cases.

“You are therefore directed to immediately interdict Mr Godfrey Mutenyo until the case in court is disposed of,” the letter dated April 2, 2019 signed by Deputy IGG, Mr George Bamugemereire, reads in part.
Mr Bamugemereire said the public interest demands that official be stopped from exercising the powers and functions of his office until the court disposes of the case.
“In the instant case, Public interest demands that while the case of the above public official is still going on in court, he should be stopped from exercising the powers and functions of his office,” the letter reads.

The IGG Spokesperson, Ms Ali Munira confirmed the development and said Mr Mutenyo and Ms Kakai were charged in court over corruption.
“It is the reason we wrote to the CAO asking him to interdict them. But if they lose the case then they will be terminated,” she said.
When contacted, Mr Mutenyo said the matter was in court. “The matter is in court and what is your interest in this matter,” he asked before hanging up.