By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
The Mbale Court has convicted the Manafwa District Principal Human Resource Officer (PHRO) Betty Namono and Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Michael Bichacha, over a Shs1.6 billion fraud case involving Duckhill Microfinance Limited in Mbale.
The two were arrested by police in the month of September, 2025 over corruption and fraud allegations and were convicted on Thursday, 2nd October, 2025.
According to Court documents, the two were accused of obtaining the money through false pretences, using forged contracts, documents, and security instruments, including land titles, to secure loans at Duckhill micro finance.
The officials are also accused of using government funds to partially repay the loans, which were later recalled, leaving the borrowed amounts unpaid.
Authorities further allege that Namono and Bichacha exploited their positions to access credit far beyond their capacity to repay.
Both officials were previously interdicted before arrested over alleged collusion, though their interdiction was later lifted before the conclusion of the case.
Sources from Duckhill Microfinance say that their decision to go to court was aimed at seeking justice and recovering their money.
The accused are currently detained at Maluku Government Prison, awaiting sentencing which was postponed until next week.
