Ethics Minister Orders Police to Investigate Former Kabarole CAO

http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54500

The Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity, Fr. Simon Lokodo has ordered the police to investigate the former Chief Administrative Officer Kabarole, Juma Nyende for his role in the purchase of tree seedlings.

Lokodo who was in Fort Portal was incensed that Nyende refused to be interviewed by the police, who were investigating a case in which Richard Nyakana, the former secretary for production, is alleged to have mismanaged 14 million shillings meant for purchase of tree seedlings.

Last year, Nyakana was sacked for allegedly mismanaging the funds meant for the purchase of tree seedlings in 22 sub counties and town councils that suffered adverse effects of hailstorm.

Richard Rwabuhinga, the district chairperson, opened a case of theft against Nyakana at Fort Portal police station. Rwabuhinga claims that Nyakana used only 5.5 million shillings out of the 14 million shillings that had been approved and swindled the rest of the money.

Rwabuhinga also claims that Nyakana forged the signatures of the forestry officer, Emmanuel Kaganda and allegedly bought Musizi tree species.

Lokodo was in Fort Portal to find out why investigations into the case have never been completed, since last year.

Joseph Kamugisha, the police detective who was investigating the case, told Lokodo that they were being frustrated by Nyende and Rwabuhinga. According to Kamugisha, Nyende refused to write a statement and avail the police with vital information like receipts, which were in his possession. He also said that despite requests by the police Rwabuhinga refused to write a statement at police, since he was the complainant.

Kamugisha’s revelation angered Lokodo who said that the police should investigate Nyende. According to Lokodo, the failure by Nyende to cooperate in police investigations is an indication that he could have connived with Nyakana to swindle the funds.

//Cue in: “I need the CAO to be brought…
Cue out: “…its terrible corruption.”//

Lokodo put Rwabuhinga to task to explain why he refused to write a statement at police, however Rwabuhinga refused to reply,  prompting the minister to order Rwabuhinga to immediately write a statement at the police, since he was the main complainant.

Lokodo gave the police two weeks to complete investigations into the case and the culprits taken to courts of law.

Nyende was last month transferred to Ssembabule district. His transfer came after a section of councilors petitioned the Ministry of Local Government, accusing him of failing to implement council resolutions which they said had affected service delivery and embezzling 100 million shillings meant for the architectural design of Fort Portal Municipal stadium.

Other allegations against Nyende included failing to account for 22 million shillings under the HASP project which was funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) for the purchase of motorcycles for district extension workers. Also mentioned is the alleged mismanagement of 7 million shillings meant to repair a district tractor and the illegal hiring of the district road unit to Ntoroko district local government.