The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) received a complaint alleging that during the financial year 2017/2018, Emmanuel Okello, Engineering Officer of Kole district local government, misappropriated shs49.9 million intended for road works along Teboke to Corner Park.
An additional shs14.6 million meant for graving the Engineering Park Yard at Kole District Local Government, was also misappropriated by him.
According to the report, on April 2, 2024, Okello received over shs30.3 million allocated for hiring equipment, purchasing materials, and paying allowances, while shs19.5 million was paid to MT Oil Limited for fuel.
However, upon verification of the accountability documents he presented, it was revealed that he had misappropriated over shs44.1 million.
Furthermore, in the financial year 2017/2018, Kole district planned to gravel the Engineering Park Yard, and on October 30, 2017, Okello was given shs14.6 million for that purpose.
Meanwhile, in November 2018, the driver who supposedly undertook the work denied any knowledge of the activities. Additionally, shs1.6 million was paid to road gangs in December 2018, yet those paid were not on the list of pre-qualified suppliers at the time.
The IGG further noted that they received another complaint alleging that officials at Kole District Local Government misappropriated over shs16.7 million meant for the rehabilitation of Teatit-Alumi and Pida 2 Bung Health Centre 2 roads in financial year 2017/2018.
Another complaint stated that on October 30, 2024, shs75.7 million intended for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Alito-Ogur Border Road was also misappropriated.
On January 16, 2023, Sylvester Enyeny, the Account Assistant in charge of the Works and Technical Services Department at Kole District Local Government for 2017/2018, denied ever receiving any accountability related to the activity.
Although Okello submitted untitled photographs of a road to the IGG as an activity report and accountability for the funds in October 2020, relevant parties interviewed—including local council one chairpersons from villages where the road is located and staff working under the works and technical department denied that the road was worked on during 2017/2018.
In a letter obtained by tndNews,Uganda, signed by the Deputy Inspector General of Government, Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, the IGG has directed Okello to refund all the misused funds.
In a public notice issued in 2022 , the IGG named several individuals including Okello who were ordered to refund money following investigation into mismanagement of public funds
Hhe was ordered to pay money into the IGG asset recovery account at the Bank of Uganda.
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