Kole District Engineer Emmanuel Okello has been removed from office following investigations by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), which directed the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to take immediate disciplinary action against him.
Okello is now required to appear before the District Service Commission for disciplinary proceedings and to refund over shs200 million that he allegedly misappropriated from government coffers.
The decision comes amid an ongoing broader investigation into multiple financial irregularities linked to road rehabilitation projects across the district.
In the interim, and to ensure uninterrupted service delivery, CAO Stephen Lokope has assigned additional responsibilities to Patrick Ocan, the District Water Officer, to oversee the Office of the District Engineer.
This temporary arrangement will remain in effect pending the recruitment of a substantive District Engineer, while investigations against Okello continue.
The assignment follows a formal complaint received by the IGG alleging that during the financial year 2017–2018, Okello misappropriated shs499 million intended for road works along the Te-Bace to Corner Park route.
Also read: Fraudulent Kole district engineer Emmanuel Okello ordered to refund over shs182m road money
Another complaint indicates that an additional shs14.6 million, meant for gravelling the Engineering Park Yard of Kole District Local Government, was also embezzled by the embattled engineer.
According to an IGG report, on April 2, 2024, Okello received over shs30.3 million allocated for hiring equipment, purchasing materials, and paying allowances. Of this amount, shs19.5 million was paid to MT Oil Limited for fuel.
The IGG further noted that another complaint had been lodged alleging that district officials misappropriated over shs16.7 million meant for the rehabilitation of the Te-Atit Alumi and Pida Two Bung Health Centre II roads during the 2017–2018 financial year.
In a separate investigation sanctioned by the Anti-Corruption Unit, it was established that over shs200 million was stolen from a total of over shs1 billion earmarked for various road projects in the 2023–2024 financial year.
The affected projects include: Akalo–Adwila (9 km) at shs148 million, Ogwang Adar–Barpii–Ayara (21 km) at shs353 million, Otino Wa–Apii Ayer sub-county (6 km) at shs9 million, Aumi–Teati (9 km) at shs150 million, and Gwetta Abongo Dic to Agwiri (6 km) at shs99 million.
An additional shs90.6 million was reportedly stolen through inflated fuel costs in a separate 23 km road project.
Meanwhile, the Auditor General’s report for the 2020–2021 financial year also directs the recovery of shs61.7 million from Okello related to unaccounted road funds.
The breakdown shows misappropriated amounts on multiple dates: shs16.7 million on November 2, 2022; shs39.6 million on April 5, 2023; shs4.7 million on June 19. 2023.
Others were shs59.6 million on April 2, 2024; and shs58.7 million on October 30, 2024.
In a formal letter dated July 1, 2026, CAO Stephen Lokope directed the current officer in charge of the Works and Technical Services Department to prepare and effect a handover of all office equipment, departmental records, ongoing project documents, imprests, and accountability records to Patrick Ocan.
The handover is to be completed within three weeks, in accordance with the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders.
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