Nkurunungi was not a criminal - army

THE UPDF Captain, Benon Nkurunungi, who died in USA this week, was not a wanted criminal but was Absent Without Official Leave, the army has said, reports Milton Olupot. Nkurunungi reportedly died of pneumonia in Minnesota on Saturday. His relatives are planning his funeral. Army spokesman Maj. Phinehas Katirima said in a statement on Tuesday, "The army has not been looking for Nkurunungi for any criminal charges as reported in the press, nor was he involved in stealing money." He said a story in The Monitor on Monday saying Nkurunungi had embezzled money before he deserted had created a wrong impression. There had been reports that Nkurunungi fled the country late last year after being named in the loss of state funds. He was reported to have sought asylum in the US. Katirima said a board of inquiry into Nkurunungi's flight would soon produce its report. Nkurunungi accompanied the then Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ben Mbonye, to the Sebutinde commission of inquiry into the Police Force to clarify on the non-payment of Local Defence Unit salaries. Ends.