By David Omoding
BUDAKA
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Budaka Martin Orochi has directed police to investigate the district officers who silently swindled Shs40 million meant to fight covid 19 pandemic.
The cash in question is Shs40 million that the area MPs; Kezekia Mbogo and Pamela Kamugo returned to the district following directives from President Museveni.
In his letter dated 11 Nov 2020, addressed to District Police Commander (DPC) Budaka, Swagiya Sebunya, Orochi said:
”Following the district task force meeting held yesterday 10th November) in the district headquarters that i chaired, we realized that ministry of finance truly released 40 million shillings to Budaka district for covid 19 activities and this money was silently used by the responsible officers of the district without the knowledge of the district task force and Budaka District Council to approve the supplementary if any, It’s upon this background that I direct you to expeditiously institute an investigation into this matter to allow necessary action taken to recover this funds,” the letter reads in part.
”Failure to undertake this investigation with the attention it deserves, you will equally take responsibility,” Orochi warned.
The letter contained an attachment list of the district staff and alleged service providers who silently received the money for the activities.
According to the analysis on how the 40 million shillings was used under covid as prepared by Mr Taliwaku Paul, the Senior Accounts Assistant, which eastnews has seen, total amount spent is 39,999,997 and the balance of 3 shillings.
Mulwani Erisa (DHO) 4 million for repair and servicing of motor vehicle for health department under covid 19.
Masaba Nasur (Surveillance officer) received 4 million for conducting active search and verification for people with covid 19 by surveillance team.
Nnantogo Alice Jemimah received, 2 million for inspection to ensure compliance to covid 19/SOP’s.
Taliwaku Pual received (Senior Accounts Assistant) 4, 040,000, for weekly meeting coordination of 15 members of the district task force.
Namugwere victoria (District Health Educator) 2 million for conducting community sencitization and radio talk shows.
Dr wogabaga John (incharge Budaka Health Centre Four) 3,520,000 for payment for risk allowance for all health workers and staff.
Buyube Enterprises; 8 million facilitation for payment of money used to supply meals and refreshments for suspects.
Owori Investment Limited 5,996,997 million for procurement and supply of fuel for coordination of covid 19 activities.
Some of the staff who received the money intimated to this website that they were quietly called to receive the money to go and implement the activity.
”I was called to receive the money for an activity but with caution never to tell anyone,” one of the staff who preferred to remain anonymous said.
According to the RDC, during the meeting, DHO and the CFO admitted to have erred in spending the money without informing the district task force and requested for forgiveness.
He trashed the accountability saying it was forged as they fixed names of institutions purportedly to have implemented the activities just to siphon the money, yet the district did not have any serious covid 19 activity which could consume the 40 million shillings.
The RDC said the CAO promised to carry out a comprehensive audit for the monies which he says he cannot honor as he doesn’t serve the interest of the district.
The RDC further accused the former CAO Mr. Batambuze Abdu for masterminding the falsification of the use of funds before he influenced his transfer.
The Budaka district chairperson Samuel Mulomi said despite several attempts to find out from CAO, CFO and DHO whether they received the money, the trio denied.
He said he was equally shocked when the officers presented their accountability during the district task force meeting last week.
