Court rejects bid for indefinite adjournment in ex-Dokolo officials’ sh112m case
The accused are facing charges of false accounting by a public officer contrary to Section 22 of the Anti-Corruption Act, as amended.
Former Dokolo district finance officer Alex Ongom and former district engineer Thomas Okello appearing before the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court on June 24, 2026, to answer charges of alleged false accounting of sh112 million. (Credit: State House Anti-Corruption Unit)
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The Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court has rejected an application seeking an indefinite adjournment of the verdict in a case involving former Dokolo district local government officials accused of falsely accounting for sh112 million.
Defence lawyer Kenneth Engoru told court on Wednesday (June 24) that one of the accused, George William Omuge, was too ill to attend the verdict.
“Your Worship, the first accused is very ill. Last week, when I appeared before you, I informed this court that the accused was unable to attend due to illness. As I speak now, his condition has worsened, and I am requesting a long adjournment to allow him to seek treatment,” he said.
He further informed court that Omuge’s co-accused, former finance officer Alex Ongom and former district engineer Thomas Okello, were present in court.
The court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Peter Lochomin, declined to grant the request, saying that the matter had become a backlog case and could not be further delayed.
A case is considered backlog when it has remained in the system for more than two years.
“Counsel, you are aware that this is a backlog case. I cannot grant any long adjournment. This judgment will be delivered on June 29, 2026, at midday,” Lochomin ruled.
Charges
The offence attracts a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sh1.4 million upon conviction.
The prosecution alleges that Omuge, Okello, and Ongom, while serving as chief administrative officer (CAO), district engineer, and finance officer in charge of works, respectively, were responsible for the receipt, custody, and management of funds meant for service delivery in Dokolo.
It is further alleged that the accused persons submitted false accountability for sh112 million to the finance ministry, despite knowing that the accountability was fraudulent.
The prosecution also alleges that the accused submitted another falsified accountability of sh11.8 million to the same ministry.
The accused persons have denied the charges.