The State House Anti-Corruption Unit working with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have arrested Arua City Engineer for Embezzling over UGX 28million from Uganda Road Fund that was meant to rehabilitate roads in Arua city.
The suspect identified as Charles Omona was arrested by detectives working with State House Anti-Corruption Unit on Friday, November 24, 2023.
According to the statement released on November 24, 2023, in June 2023, the suspect and others still at large irregularly processed and transferred over UGX 56 million shillings from the Arua city’s treasury single account and it was withdrawn in cash.
“The said money that was withdrawn was handed over to the engineer to pay service providers who did some road works and maintenance of Works department vehicles which was done,” the statement read in part.
The statement further stated that, the suspect claimed that he used part of the money to solve his domestic problems hence leaving parts of the roads in bad conditions.
On a similar case, on May 19, 2023, court arraigned and remanded Charles Malinde, a Senior Assistant Engineering Officer of Tororo district for causing financial loss and embezzling funds meant for Kagera Bridge Culverts.
On May 24, 2023, court charged two Kitgum district officials for diverting over UGX 500million funds meant for Parish Development Model (PDM).
According to the law, anybody convicted under Section 11(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act faces a prison sentence of up to seven years, a fine not exceeding UGX 5.3million.
