By The Insight Post-Uganda
Top leaders in Buvuma district, including the Chief Administrative Officer-CAO, Commercial Officer and the LC5 chairperson are engaged in a heated dispute with the office of the Resident District Commissioner over alleged misappropriation of ‘Emyoga’ SACCO funds.
Last week, the RDC issued a one month ultimatum to the district leadership, demanding a formal explanation regarding the missing funds.
The RDC warned those who participated in borrowing the money to refund it or face charges. RDC Jackeline Birungi expresses her disappointment that the commercial officer, Samuel Zzimbe, and the CAO, Moses Akaploni are yet to provide report on the missing funds.
Specifically, Shillings 18 million was withdrawn from the account of Buvuma District Produce Dealers on May 6, 2021, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Birungi revealed that the police were under instructions to investigate the matter and apprehended Zzimbe. However, before the questioning could commence, the CAO secured a bond for Zzimbe, raising a concern about the speed at which the matter was handled.
The RDC states that Zzimbe and Akaploni were directed to obtain information from the bank manager of Finance Trust, Jinja Branch, regarding the withdrawal process and individuals involved.
However, no progress has been made in this regard. Further investigation revealed that Zzimbe had unlawfully borrowed Shillings 3 million from Namugombe Parish Persons with Disabilities SACCOs in May 2021.
Despite the illegal borrowing, Zzimbe failed to repay the money, including the expected profits of Shillings 240, 000. Zzimbe declined to comment on the accusations and his failure to manage and guide the SACCOs, redirecting inquiries to the CAO for matters related to accountability.
In response, the CAO, Akaploni, dismissed the arrest of his officer as an attempt to shame and embarrass civil servants in the district. He argued that the RDC, as the overall chairperson of the ‘Emyoga’ project in the district, should take responsibility for investigating the issue.
Meanwhile, other district leaders, including the LC5 Chairperson Adrian Ddungu, who borrowed money from the leader’s SACCO, have also failed to repay their loans. Ddungu borrowed Shillings 5 million in April 2021 and was expected to return Shillings 5.4 million.
Ddungu responded to the RDC’s ultimatum by promising to settle the outstanding amount as soon as possible to avoid the embarrassment of arrest.
In January of last year, during a visit to the district, State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo instructed individuals who borrowed from SACCOs in Buvuma to repay their loan.
Kasolo’s directive came after various cases of misappropriation were identified and needed to be resolved before further borrowing.
Deputy RDC Patrick Mubiru lamented that their efforts to address the issue were hindered by leaders and other individuals who had left the islands after receiving the funds and were now untraceable.
Buvuma district Shillings 560 million as Emyoga seed capital, leading to the formation of 16 SACCOs with over 300 associations and 1,200 individual members.
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