Staff Reporter
Maziba Sub-county Chief Vianey Besigomwe and Kabale District Accountant James Magezi have been arrested for allegedly embezzling more than 25 Million Ugandan Shillings earmarked for road rehabilitation in the 2020/2021 fiscal year.
The arrests occurred on Friday, with the suspects currently detained at Kabale Central Police Station. Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Godfrey Nyakahuma initiated the arrest after the duo failed to provide a proper account of the missing funds.
The funds were intended for crucial road projects, including the reconstruction and upkeep of roads such as Ikona-Omuncuro Primary School-Omuncuro Trading Center road, Kagona road, Nyanja Trading Center-Kiziba A to Kiziba B road, Nyanja-Kambibi-Rwamijina road, Kaburasi, Kanoni, Remihanga road, and Iziniro-Omukashenyi road.
RDC Nyakahuma took decisive action based on whistleblower reports, revealing a disturbing pattern of mismanagement. Despite continuous funding since 2020, no road in Maziba sub-county had reportedly undergone rehabilitation.
Nyakahuma emphasized that Maziba sub-county consistently submitted misleading performance reports, falsely confirming the completion of road projects and proper fund utilization in the 2020/2021 fiscal year. These deceptive reports prompted the RDC to intervene and apprehend Besigomwe and Magezi.
Additionally, authorities are actively pursuing Loyce Asiimwe, the former Sub-county Chief, who currently serves as the Kabale Clerk to the Council. Asiimwe is currently evading authorities and is wanted for questioning in connection with the same financial mismanagement case.
