Embezzlement: NRM secretary goes into hiding

The Tororo National Resistance Movement (NRM) party administrative secretary has gone into hiding after reportedly embezzling funds meant to facilitate party candidates in the recent elections.

Joseph Kadokech disappeared from the public domain after the resident district commissioner (RDC) Martin Orochi ordered for his arrest.

On April 12, the RDC ordered the district police commander Robert Katuramu to immediately have Kadokech arrested.

"I have been receiving a lot of complaints from the members of public about Mr Kadokech Joseph over alleged receiving and obtaining money from the NRM secretary and failed to remit to the beneficiaries who are willing to record statements in relation to that effect.

"I am therefore directing you to arrest Mr. Kadokech since he has refused to cooperate despite a number of calls and attempts to resolve this matter. Do the arrest as fast as possible," was Orochi's order.

Upon learning of the order to have him apprehended, Kadokech last week rushed to the NRM national electoral commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi to save him.

Orochi advised Odoi to produce Kadokech.

Kadokech has never reported to the police station to record a statement ever since the RDC lodged a complaint, according to police officers.

Trouble for Kadokech started last month when Jimmy Alia Apumeri, the district councilor for Kwapa subcounty (NRM) wrote to NRM secretary general Justine Kasule Lumumba, accusing Kadokech of embezzling his campaign facilitation amounting to sh1m.

According to Apumeri, Kadokech denied them the money as he accused him and other flagbearers of hobnobbing with the opposition and independent candidates during the elections.

However when contacted on phone, Kadokech said he is sick and resting at his home and that he is not in hiding as alleged.  He said he had paid all the monies and had also submitted accountabilities to the district internal security officer [DISO], Frank Mpaulo.

Attempts to reach the DISO for a comment were futile.