Police in Obongi district have arrested officials from Gulu University for covertly constructing a house under the DRDIP program, which officially concluded in June.
Among those apprehended is Madira Shaban of Oli ‘B’ Cell in Arua district, identified as the contractor responsible for the unauthorized construction.
A case with reference number SD Ref 09/15/7/24 has been filed at Palorinya police station, Palorinya sub-county.
The Office of the RDC in Obongi, led by Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, and ARDC Umuhoza Habiba Furaha, discovered the clandestine project during their monitoring of government programs. They were surprised to find that Gulu University had commenced construction without conducting a groundbreaking ceremony and without informing the RDC, district chairperson, or CAO.
DRDIP officially concluded on June 30th following a six-month extension period.
Gulu University has faced multiple controversies in Obongi district under the DRDIP initiative, including allegations of embezzling over 620 million shillings intended for the construction of 11 fish ponds. The university received these funds from Obongi district in February last year, yet no fish ponds have been completed to date.
Last year, three Gulu University officials, including Mr. Premo, were arrested by Obongi police over fraudulent fish pond projects.
Recently, additional university officials were arrested for secretly initiating projects involving the construction of toilets and waste management facilities in Palorinya sub-county and Obongi town council.
Mr. Madira Shaban was apprehended at the undisclosed construction site located in Teremo village, Yenga Parish, Palorinya sub-county.
