Two Gulu City Council officials still at large after swindling shs200m

“….such acts are putting down service delivery in Gulu City and the entire country,” Anti-Corruption spokesperson told TND News.

By Okot Lil Romeo

Gulu – August 16, 2022: The State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the police and other State security agencies have arrested six senior officers of Gulu City Council on allegation of swindling over shs200m realized from local revenue.

On Friday, TND News understands that two other officials are still on the run.

The Anti-corruption Unit stormed Gulu City Council on Monday and embarked on its investigations after monies reportedly went missing from the City’s wallet.

The six suspected accounting officials were charged with theft, forgery, conspiracy and using fake receipts to steal the money from the local business people, and contractors, among other taxpayers.

Okot Denis, chief financial officer, Kidega George Nikolas, former finance officer, Odokonyero George accounting officer; Okwera Denis, accounting officer Pece-Laroo division, Otema Bosco, treasure and Ocean Mark Francis, the assistant treasurer of Gulu city council are the suspects in custody.

 Acholi sub-region has become a ground for corruption. In the last two weeks over 20 officials accused of corruption have been arrested. Over 14 officials were arrested in Kitgum district for swindling the Parish Development Model [PDM] funds and on allegations of extorting money from the local community.

In an interview with the communication officer of the State House Anti-corruption Unit, Emmanuel Bunya, he confirmed the arrest, adding that the six were arrested in connection with the theft of shs200m.

He noted that such acts are putting down service delivery in Gulu City and the entire country. 

“They were [are] using the office to destroy the government’s name and that of the president, denying services to reach the locals,” Bunya added.

Bunya, however, appealed to the local community to work as a watchdog, saying it is all our duty to fight corruption in the country.