Kagadi CFO arrested over embezzlement, other district officials on the run

Dec 18, 2017

Natugonza and others still at large are suspected to have misappropriated sh400m meant for the construction of the district administration block and sh500m for renovation of Kagadi Hospital

Side view of Kagadi administration block which is also subject of investigation

The Police in Kagadi are holding the chief finance officer (CFO) Kagadi on allegations of misuse and embezzlement of government funds.

Vincent Natugonza was arrested from his office by Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) officials from Police Headquarters in Kampala last week and handed over to Kagadi Police for more interrogation.

Natugonza and others still at large who include, Charles Byaruhanga, the works supervisor, Robert Bukenya, the acting district engineer and former engineer Abel Mwebaze are suspected to have misappropriated part of sh400m meant for the construction of Kagadi district administration block and sh500m for partial renovation of Kagadi Hospital.

The team is also investigating the abuse of funds released by World Bank to construct three government-aided primary schools in the district.

The CID team led by Joseph Ojinga is also on ground investigating the circumstances under which some officials in Kagadi district are alleged to have uttered false documents to acquire jobs in various departments.

The team also grilled Robert Abenaitwe, the former chief administrative officer Kagadi, but currently serving in Ibanda on similar allegations.

Romeo Ojara, the district Police commander Kagadi confirmed the arrest and said investigations by the CIID team are still ongoing.

"We were ordered by a team from CID headquarters in Kampala to detain the Kagadi the CFO on allegations of misappropriation of government funds.

"The team is still on ground investigating various departments in the district. The team will divulge details after their investigations,'' Ojara said.

Other officers being investigated include those from the education department, office of the chief administrative officer and works department. However, CID team declined to divulge details about their investigations.

There are reports that Kagadi district which has spent just one and half years in operation has been dodged with several complaints of corruption and abuse of office.

District councillors disowned the administration block that was rehabilitated during the reign of Robert Abenaitwe as chief administrative officer citing a lot of irregularities.

The partial renovation of Kagadi Hospital also had several issues ranging from poor drawn bills of quantities (BOQs) to shoddy works by the contractor.

Last month the current chief administrative officer Kagadi Malik Mahabba relieved Abel Mwebaze the assignment of acting district engineer over similar allegations.

 

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