Busia officials arrested over theft of taxpayers’ Shs1.5b meant for roads, schools
Arrested Busia Municipal officials being led to the police cell at Busia police station over charges of abuse of office PHOTO/DAVID AWORI
What you need to know:
- The arrested individuals will be transferred to Kampala to face charges of abuse of office in the Anti-Corruption Court.
Four Busia Municipal officials have been arrested for allegedly embezzling Shs1.5 billion, including money directed by President Museveni for road projects throughout the country.
The suspects include: the town clerk, Fenard Katunda Mukulu; the Senior Municipal Engineer, Wycliff Chimulwa; the municipal treasurer, Farouk Kiganda and the municipal education officer, Aggrey Mangeni.
The suspects are being held at Busia Police Station following their arrest by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, which has been conducting investigations into corruption in Busia District and Municipality for the past two weeks.
The four officials were arrested on Saturday at Busia Border Primary School, following a two-day Baraza. They were then taken to Busia Police Station, where they recorded statements regarding abuse of office.
"We are indeed questioning four senior technical officials regarding allegations of abuse of office," Mr Samuel Sebikari, the State House Anti-Corruption principal legal officer said.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the four officials were arrested for allegedly embezzling Shs 1.5 billion, which included funds allocated for road projects and school facilitation grants, disbursed on orders of President Museveni to districts and municipalities.
An investigation revealed that despite allocating Shs169 million for a 0.7 km road in Mugungu village, specifically the Border road, no work had been done.
The road works, which included stone pitching, gravelling, and grading, were left incomplete.
Mr David Oguttu, the chairman of the works committee, stated that the engineer claimed Shs149 million was released for the road works, but the actual amount disbursed was Shs169 million.
Mr Oguttu said, "In the 2023/2024 financial year, we gave the engineer Shs69 million, and this financial year, we've added another Shs100 million for works on this road."
The State House officials, accompanied by State Minister for Regional Cooperation, Mr John Mulimba who is also MP for Samia Bugwe North, visited Mandela Road in Marachi, where they questioned the engineer about the incomplete works.
"You told us the works on Mandela Road were complete, that you gravelled, graded, and stone-pitched it. But we don't see the murram or culverts. Did you lie to this committee?" Mr Mulimba asked the engineer.
Mr Mulimba stated that evidence of fraud in government fund had been uncovered and that stern action will be taken against the officials involved.
"I lied to the committee," Engineer Kiganda admitted and asked for forgiveness, acknowledging his mistake about the status of Mandela Road works.
Farouk Kiganda, the municipal engineer (R) being quizzed by the state minister for regional cooperation, John Mulimba and officials from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
The team, joined by residents, visited Marachi Primary School, where a 10,000-litre plastic water tank had been installed for Shs10 million.
The team asked Mr Mangeni to explain why it cost such an amount for the water facility.
An official asked, "We want to know who priced the buying and installation of this water tank and how they arrived at this price."
Mr Mangeni disclosed that the engineer handled the costing, inspection, procurement, and installation of the water tank.
At Okumu Oryek Road in Sofia A village, the team found no work done despite the money being spent.
On Chigwa Road, investigators found that the culverts and stone pitching attributed to the engineer were constructed by a Kenyan businessman.
"The engineer is lying. This road was fixed by Mr Barasa, also known as Baro, a Kenyan trader. He should tell you where he took the money for the activities he claims to have done on this road," a resident told the investigators
A visibly sweating, Mr Kiganda admitted that the culverts were indeed fixed by the Kenyan trader, Mr Barasa.
The team visited Waiswa Road in Sofia B and found that the works had not been done.
At Mawero East Primary, the team found that Shs31 million was spent on painting iron sheets on two classroom blocks.
Mr David Oguttu, chairman of the works committee in Busia Municipality, told this publication that nearly Shs1.5 billion was embezzled.
Ms Hamida Rashid, a resident of Mugungu, said she witnessed rocks meant for stone pitching being delivered on the Border Road, only to be taken away by the Municipal Engineer.
"The engineer brought rocks, but shortly after, he came back with a truck and they loaded the rocks and took them away," Ms Hamida said.
Ms Faith Siketa, a resident of Mawero East B, called for punishment of officials involved in embezzling funds meant for Busia town's service delivery.
Ms Siketa revealed that residents had criticized President Museveni for not delivering services to Busia town, but after discovering that funds were being embezzled, they realized he does care and sends money, which unfortunately ends up in the wrong hands.
The arrested individuals will be transferred to Kampala to face charges of abuse of office in the Anti-Corruption Court.
