Three Kabale leaders arrested over Emyooga SACCO shs65m theft

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Police say they have arrested three officials of the Kabale Municipality Emyooga SACCO over the alleged theft of shillings 65,095,000, following months of scrutiny into suspicious withdrawals from the group’s account.

Kigezi region Police spokesperson Elly Maate on November 19, 2025, confirmed the arrests, saying the suspects “fraudulently conspired and siphoned SACCO funds over an extended period.”

Those arrested include southern division speaker and resident of Omukirwa cell in Karubanda Ward Ignatius Mwesigwa, 38, who served as chairperson of the SACCO; Francis Tumwakire, 45, a salesman from Kijurera cell, Bukoora parish in Kitumba sub-county, who was the treasurer; and Susan Abby Akatukunda, 44, a Southern Division councillor and resident of Nyakakika Cell, who served as secretary.

According to the Police, the trio, working as the SACCO’s top leadership, allegedly withdrew the funds illegally from Centenary Bank Kabale Branch, account number 3202647544, between March 22, 2023, and September 27, 2024. Maate said the withdrawals were done “covertly and without the consent or knowledge of the elected members.”

The theft came to light on November 4, 2024, when SACCO members noticed irregular account activity and discovered that the group’s savings had been depleted. 

Facing pressure from members, chairperson Mwesigwa reported the matter to Kabale Central Police Station, triggering an official investigation.

Police recorded statements from witnesses, retrieved SACCO documents, and obtained a detailed bank statement capturing the contested transactions. 

Questioned withdrawal slips and specimen signatures were submitted to handwriting experts for forensic examination.

Maate said the expert report conclusively linked the three officials to the unauthorized withdrawals. Based on the findings, the Resident State Attorney (RSA) Kabale sanctioned the file with 29 counts of theft. The trio is expected to appear in court to take a plea.