Speaker arrested over embezzlement of Youth funds

CRIME | KIBALE

The Police in Kibaale have arrested THE Matale sub-county Speaker for allegedly misappropriating over sh7m from the youth livelihood fund.

David Otabong, the Kibaale District Police Commander, identified the suspect as Alex Gwaka, a councillor for Matale sub-county and a youth group Chairman for Busesa A Poultry Development Youth Project.

Gwaka was arrested yesterday by Kibaale police during a community meeting, commonly known Balaza, on orders of the Kibaale resident District commissioner Samuel Kisembo. The arrest followed complaints from over 450 community members.

"I have received complaints that their chairperson misused sh7.5m meant to buy  broilers (chicks) for the group four years ago," Kisembo said.

"Youth moneys are revolving funds and must be used by other organised groups of youth. The money must be paid back. This is a government programme aimed at changing the lives of the youth, not for individuals. The arrested youth chairperson must produce the money he misused,'' he added. 

In his defense, Gwaka said he purchased chicks (broilers), but unfortunately some died. He said he returned the interest of sh350,000 to the relevant offices and that he was planning to construct a permanent structure for the poultry project.

Some group members blamed their chairperson for not showing accountability of the money used to purchase broilers and accused him of hiding records and dodging them whenever meetings are convened.

Alice Twekambe, one of the group members said: "We want our chairman to explain where he put our sh7m. Our project  has been cancelled because we have failed to pay interest for four years now,'' she said.