By Solomon Hamala
IGANGA
The Inspector General of Government (IGG) has recovered shillings one billion that had earlier been embezzled through Duckhill Micro Finance Institution three years back.
This was revealed by the head of Inspectorate IGG Jinja Regional Office, Rashid Sentongo while addressing district employees at the Iganga chamber hall today 21st October 2021.
Sentongo said the funds that had been embezzled were transferred to accounts of different employees of Iganga Municipal Council and management of Duckhill would later demand to be given back a bigger portion of the money.
“If an employee was given shillings 60 million, the microfinance institution demanded for 90 percent and the other person would remain with the balance,” he said.
Sentongo said shillings 205 million was recovered from Iganga and Tororo branches following a one year investigation that involved cross examination of employees who received the money.
“We got bank statements that indicated the very employees were receiving abnormal amounts of money on their accounts and later transferred back the money to the sender,” he said.
Management of Duckhill microfinance are believed to have connived with some officials of Iganga Municipal Council to transfer the money to accounts of employees before demanding back a bigger portion.
He said Iganga district is ranked highest in terms of corruption conducted most especially by government officials who demand bribes from members of the public in order to offer services besides embezzling public funds.
“Most government programs have come to a halt just because public officials are only interested in swindling whatever is meant to do the work,” he said.
Sentongo also faulted the Human Resource Officer Iganga for deliberately delaying forwarding particulars of teachers to the relevant ministry of education to have their payments cleared in time so as to demand bribes.
“When the officer discovers that the money being demanded is in arrears then she or he demands for some bribes from the affected teachers so that particulars can be sent to Kampala,” he said.
He cautioned employees against absenteeism, misuse of government assets like vehicles, motorcycles besides interference by the political wing of activities of the district service commission saying these are also highest forms of corruption.
According to the national integrity survey, Uganda loses over shillings one trillion to employees who earn salaries without doing any job.
Sentongo cited an example of Bugweri district where on three random visits, they discovered that only three employees were on duty at the district headquarters during working hours.
The LC 5 chairman Iganga, Ezra Gabula urged employees to always report for duty early toavoid facing disciplinary action.
Gabula said the district had introduced regular roll calls during morning hours of all employees to reduce on late coming and absenteeism.
“Anyone who will be found guilty without any substantive reason risks being suspended or dismissed from duty,” he said.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner Iganga, Hajira Namuwaya said majority of employees especially teachers had resorted to riding boda boda during working hours instead of being in class performing their duties.
Namuwaya cautioned teachers on government payroll against part timing with other private schools elsewhere saying its illegal and anyone found guilty risks disciplinary action.
