Ex-Gulu chiefs charged over sh11m
Dec 23, 2009
THE Gulu deputy mayor and former acting town clerk, who were arrested on suspicion that they embezzled sh11m, have been charged and remanded to Gulu Central Prison.
By Chris Ocowun
THE Gulu deputy mayor and former acting town clerk, who were arrested on suspicion that they embezzled sh11m, have been charged and remanded to Gulu Central Prison.
Benson Kilara and Dennis Okongo, currently the assistant town clerk of Layibi Division, were picked from the Gulu municipal council offices by plain-clothes Police detectives on Tuesday morning.
The charge sheet states that Kilara and Okongo in October 2007 flouted procurement procedures and unlawfully bought land for Gulu municipality at a price above the sh25m authorised by the council.
It adds that between October and November 2007, Okongo unlawfully retained sh5m from the sh25m, which had been allocated for the purchase of land to relocate Laroo Forest, contrary to Section 11 of the Anti-corruption Act of 2009.
The charge states that Kilara unlawfully retained sh6m from the money which had been allocated to relocate the forest.
The duo, who appeared before the Gulu grade one magistrate, Joan Aciro, pleaded not guilty and were remanded till January 5, 2010 when they will re-appear in court.
They were advised to apply for bail from the anti-corruption court in Kampala.
The Gulu speaker, Kelly Komakech, said in 2007, the council resolved that the town clerk looks for alternative land outside the municipality and have it exchanged for 100 acres in the forest reserve in Laroo Division.
THE Gulu deputy mayor and former acting town clerk, who were arrested on suspicion that they embezzled sh11m, have been charged and remanded to Gulu Central Prison.
Benson Kilara and Dennis Okongo, currently the assistant town clerk of Layibi Division, were picked from the Gulu municipal council offices by plain-clothes Police detectives on Tuesday morning.
The charge sheet states that Kilara and Okongo in October 2007 flouted procurement procedures and unlawfully bought land for Gulu municipality at a price above the sh25m authorised by the council.
It adds that between October and November 2007, Okongo unlawfully retained sh5m from the sh25m, which had been allocated for the purchase of land to relocate Laroo Forest, contrary to Section 11 of the Anti-corruption Act of 2009.
The charge states that Kilara unlawfully retained sh6m from the money which had been allocated to relocate the forest.
The duo, who appeared before the Gulu grade one magistrate, Joan Aciro, pleaded not guilty and were remanded till January 5, 2010 when they will re-appear in court.
They were advised to apply for bail from the anti-corruption court in Kampala.
The Gulu speaker, Kelly Komakech, said in 2007, the council resolved that the town clerk looks for alternative land outside the municipality and have it exchanged for 100 acres in the forest reserve in Laroo Division.