Punish 20 officers for stealing over sh14m, IG directs Kisoro CAO

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The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has directed Kisoro district local government chief administrative officer (CAO) John Nyakahuma to punish at least 20 officers who allegedly stole shillings 14,053,825 from the Agricultural Extension Fund.

The fund was meant for extension activities in their respective sub-counties and town councils for Quarter One of the FY 2023/2024.

The directive was made by deputy Inspector General of Government (DIGG) Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe after investigations conducted by the IG Kabale Regional Office found the officers guilty.

The officers involved have been directed to refund the money to the IG Assets Recovery Account held in the Bank of Uganda.

According to investigations, 20 officials of the production and marketing department of Kisoro district falsely accounted for part of the funds meant for agricultural extension activities for Quarter One of the FY 2023/2024.

"Each of the officers attached activity reports and receipts of accountabilities to the claims for refund. Accountability documents were obtained upon verification, and receipts worth shillings 14,043,825 attached as accountability were found to be false," the report says. 

All the officers admitted to having forged and presented false accountabilities to claim for refund.

The officers, include assistant fisheries officer Augustine Baryaruha accused of stealing shillings 768,150; Muramba sub-county agricultural officer Alice Munezero 693,000;  Chahi sub-county agricultural officer Lilian Nyirabuntu 406,075; Nyakinama sub-county assistant veterinary officer Jolly Kampire 868,000, Arinaitwe Dinah Assistant Veterinary Officer for  Chaihi SubCounty shs 627,000, Sunday Amon Veterinary Officer for  Muramba Subcounty  shs768,000, Ndashimye Barnabas Veterinary Officer for Nyundo-SubCounty shs793,000, Sabiti Alex Agricultural Officer  for Nyundo-SubCounty shs 643,000, Tumwizere Edward  an agricultural Officer for Nyabwishenya Sub-County shs758,150 and  Nkurunziza Robert, an Agricultural Officer for Murora Sub county shs768,150.

Others are Thomas Byiringiro, the veterinary officer for Nyarubuye sub-county (868,150); Stephen Balikudembe, the agricultural officer for Kirundo sub-county (504,000); Aaron Sebahire, the veterinary officer for Kanaba sub-county (679,150) and Munyansanga Cypriano, an assistant veterinary officer for Nyarusiza sub-county (533,000) and Muziranenge Moses, the agricultural officer of Nyarubuye sub-county (793,000) and Sibomana John Bosco Agricultural Officer for Nyarusiza sub-county (793,000).

Also to be punished is Ndayesiga Pius, the assistant veterinary officer of Nyabwishenya sub-county (660,000); Asiimwe Richard of Bukimbiri sub-county (745,000); Seburiguri Slivern of Rubuguri town council (693,000) and Mbeine Jonas of Nyakabande sub-county (693,000).

Investigations further reveals that the named officers were responsible for unsatisfactory accountability as provided under Section 15 (2) of the Local Governments (Financial and Accounting) Regulations, 2007.

It states that "If any public officer fails to account satisfactorily for or to produce any part of cash, stores or other items of value entrusted to him or her solely, he or she may summarily be required by the Chief executive to make good the deficiency, which may be deducted from any monies due to him or her from the administration”.