Norman Ijuka, the Arua District water engineer facing charges of corruption and abuse of office related to the diversion of water pipes, has been released on bail. The Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero, presided over by Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro, granted bail to Ijuka on Thursday. According to court documents, Ijuka received cash bail of three million Ugandan shillings, and his sureties were required to execute a non-cash bond of ten million shillings.
Magistrate Aciro cautioned the sureties, emphasizing that they would be held responsible for a ten-million-shilling penalty if the accused absconded during the trial. The prosecution, led by Inspectorate Officer William Moses Ntumwa from the Inspectorate of Government (IG), alleges that in March 2021, while serving as the district water engineer, Ijuka diverted 325 water pipes. These pipes were redirected to M/s Riziki Construction Company Limited, a private construction firm.
Ijuka is facing charges under sections 2(c) and 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act and Section 11(1) of the Anti-Corruption Court Act, as amended. The specific allegations include diverting water pipes originally intended for the Odupi water projects in Terego district to the mentioned private construction company.
The prosecution further accuses Ijuka of abusing his office by irregularly removing the 325 water pipes from the National Water & Sewerage Corporation branch at Omugo Municipality in Terego District. These pipes were designated for the Odupi water extension but were allegedly diverted to M/s Riziki Construction Company Limited. The estimated value of the construction materials is 130 million Ugandan shillings, a charge that Ijuka has denied.
Additionally, the Inspectorate of Government alleges that Ijuka falsely claimed that the assigned work had been completed when, in reality, it had not. The bail decision allows Ijuka temporary freedom as legal proceedings unfold, while the court closely monitors his compliance with the conditions set forth.
