IGG | FRAUD | ODOI

KAMPALA - The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, has launched investigations into the alleged misuse of sh1.5b meant for Makerere University Convocation.

The three Makerere dons being probed are the outgoing Makerere University Convocation chairperson, Dr Fredrick Tanga Odoi, the new chairperson Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi and Justus Niwajuna, the publicity secretary.

The probe comes at a time when the Makerere University convocation was marred in a violent election process that had more than 5 alumni arrested by red top military police and the Uganda police and several top Chairperson contenders tendering in their withdrawal from the race verbally. 

Those who withdrew include former Guild president and former western youth MP, Gerald Karuhanga and Television host Charles Odongtho.

Dr George Turyamureeba Mugabi with more than 15 years of staff working experience at Makerere University was controversially announced the winner in the wee morning hours of December 31, 2022 after competing with another contender, Otim Lynd Tom.

Makerere University Convocation (MUC) is an entity of Makerere University that brings together alumni and staff. 

It was established under the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act of 2001.

According to the convocation constitution as approved by the Annual General Assembly and the University Council, there must be an annual general meeting each year, which among others approves the budget and MUC audited accounts.  

In a petition dated November 2, 2022, Odoi is accused of spending public funds without a budget and accountability for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. 

It is alleged that the amount expended by Odoi and Kamunyu stretches to sh1.5b.

"We received the complaint, we are investigating the matter," Ali Munira, the Public relations officer, Inspectorate of Government told the New Vision over telephone.

The documents indicate that Makerere University has transferred funds to a tune of sh550m to the Convocation as annual remittances which has been allegedly misappropriated by the individuals.

The three are also accused of swindling sh900m under the disguise of perimeter wall construction.

“This sh900m was allegedly siphoned out of the University by the individuals claiming that it was a presidential directive to construct a perimeter in total disregard of all procurement rules. 

Worse still, the part of the wall they purported to have constructed was constructed by Kampala Capital City Authority as compensation for Makerere University land used to expand Makerere Hill Road,” the petition reads in part.

In the petition, the whistleblower states that for the last three years Odoi and Niwajuna have been withdrawing the MUC fund and have not provided any accountability.

The new twist also also comes a few days when the Makerere University council headed by Lorna Magara wrote a letter dated January, 2 2023 requesting for an urgent submission of a full report from the office of Prof Barnabas Nawangwe about the convocation election chaos, submit a schedule of payments from the University to the convocation for the last four years and an audit of the finances of the convocation.

When New Vision contacted Dr Tang Odoi, he responded positively, "We are not worried because we have good audited books of accounts."