News
Father, daughter arrested over alleged sh5 million restocking fund scam
North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Okema identified the suspects as Quinto Odongo and his daughter, Lydia Auma, a mobile money agent operating in Kamdini Town Council.
North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Okema. (File photo)
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
__________________
Police have arrested a father and his daughter over allegations that they manipulated the registration process of a government livestock restocking beneficiary before fraudulently withdrawing sh5 million meant for the programme.
The arrests have intensified investigations into what authorities believe could be a wider scheme targeting beneficiaries of government livelihood interventions.
North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Okema identified the suspects as Quinto Odongo and his daughter, Lydia Auma, a mobile money agent operating in Kamdini Town Council.
According to preliminary investigations, the complainant, Rose Adong, was being registered for a Wendi (App) account under the Government restocking programme when her account was allegedly linked to a telephone number controlled by Odongo instead of her own.
Police allege that the suspects later swapped the SIM card linked to the account before facilitating a PIN reset after government deposited the sh5 million.
Investigators believe the money was subsequently withdrawn through a financial institution in Kamdini.
The alleged fraud only came to light after the beneficiary failed to access her funds and reported the matter to police.
Detectives have since recovered both the original and swapped SIM cards and obtained mobile money transaction records that are expected to form part of the prosecution's evidence.
Efforts are continuing to trace and recover the missing funds.
Police allege that the suspects later swapped the SIM card linked to the account before facilitating a PIN reset after government deposited the sh5 million.
Investigators believe the money was subsequently withdrawn through a financial institution in Kamdini.
The alleged fraud only came to light after the beneficiary failed to access her funds and reported the matter to police.
Detectives have since recovered both the original and swapped SIM cards and obtained mobile money transaction records that are expected to form part of the prosecution's evidence.
Efforts are continuing to trace and recover the missing funds.
Police say the suspects remain in custody as detectives compile a case file for submission to the Resident State Attorney for legal advice.
Authorities have warned individuals against interfering with government programmes, saying offenders will be prosecuted to protect public resources intended for vulnerable communities.
Similar case in Oyam
Meanwhile, detectives in Oyam district have recovered sh5 million allegedly stolen from a beneficiary of the government's livestock restocking programme, leading to the arrest of a woman accused of fraudulently taking control of the funds.
The recovery marks a breakthrough in investigations into alleged abuse of government poverty alleviation programmes in Northern Uganda, according to Police.
Okema identified the suspect as Susan Akwero, who is accused of diverting money intended for another beneficiary under the government restocking initiative.
Police investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly obtained the beneficiary's National Identity Card and SIM card during the registration process before taking control of the account through which the funds were to be received.
When government later disbursed the funds (sh5 million), investigators say the suspect allegedly withdrew the money, handing the intended beneficiary only sh200,000 and two goats.
The matter was eventually reported to the Resident District Commissioner's office before being referred to police for criminal investigations.
During interrogation, police say the suspect admitted receiving the money, enabling detectives to recover the entire Sh5 million, which has since been retained as an exhibit.
The suspect remains in custody pending completion of investigations and legal guidance from the Resident State Attorney, according to Okema.
Authorities have warned individuals against interfering with government programmes, saying offenders will be prosecuted to protect public resources intended for vulnerable communities.
Similar case in Oyam
Meanwhile, detectives in Oyam district have recovered sh5 million allegedly stolen from a beneficiary of the government's livestock restocking programme, leading to the arrest of a woman accused of fraudulently taking control of the funds.
The recovery marks a breakthrough in investigations into alleged abuse of government poverty alleviation programmes in Northern Uganda, according to Police.
Okema identified the suspect as Susan Akwero, who is accused of diverting money intended for another beneficiary under the government restocking initiative.
Police investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly obtained the beneficiary's National Identity Card and SIM card during the registration process before taking control of the account through which the funds were to be received.
When government later disbursed the funds (sh5 million), investigators say the suspect allegedly withdrew the money, handing the intended beneficiary only sh200,000 and two goats.
The matter was eventually reported to the Resident District Commissioner's office before being referred to police for criminal investigations.
During interrogation, police say the suspect admitted receiving the money, enabling detectives to recover the entire Sh5 million, which has since been retained as an exhibit.
The suspect remains in custody pending completion of investigations and legal guidance from the Resident State Attorney, according to Okema.