By George Emuron
SOROTI
The Principal Human Resource Officer, Internal Auditor and the Human Resource officer Soroti District Local Government have been arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Simon Okanya, Michael Okello and Charles Oonyu were rounded up this morning 29th September 2022 for allegedly inflating, mismanaging and manipulation of the district payroll.
The arrests were confirmed by the East Kyoga Police Spokesperson, Oscar Ageca Gregory in a press statement where he revealed that officers in Kumi and Kalaki are also under investigation by the same Unit.
Ageca further revealed that the Soroti district local government Payroll had ghost workers inserted into the payroll and the wage budget artificially increased to over Five hundred million Uganda shillings.
The Principal Human Resource Officer is also accused of fleecing pensioners.
“Mr. Simon Okanya the Principal Human Resource Officer, has additionally appeared in court this 29/9/2022 on charges of obtaining money by false pretence of a retired teacher, one Mr. Samuel Okurut under the guise that he had been over paid a gratuity of twenty million Uganda shillings by the Ministry of Finance which was a scheme by Mr. Simon Okanya to fleece the retiree of his pension.” Ageca said.
“This incident happened in 2017 but the matter was brought to our attention in March this year and leading to the arrest today” Agecca said.
Other cases under investigation in Soroti district include allegations that funds meant for construction of Adamasiko water supply system project worth three hundred and ninety million Uganda shillings (Ugx 390m) was embezzled.
Adamasiko water supply system project is located in Obonoi village Adamasiko parish, Oculoi sub-county in Soroti district.
In Kalaki, the State House Anti- Corruption Unit is also investigating alleged embezzlement of about three hundred and fifty million Uganda shillings (Ugx 350M) by Kalaki district officials which resulted into the shoddy construction of a road and bridge which connects Kalaki to Alebtong.
“This road is now closed because the bridge built has collapsed,” said Ageca.
Ageca also added that in Kumi, the State House Anti- Corruption Unit is investigating a case of alleged mismanagement of about three hundred million Uganda shillings (Ugx 300m) Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
“All these responsible officers are under investigations”, said Ageca.
