The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has remanded Gulu High School Headteacher, Paul Kennedy Picho, and former Accountant, Bertin Geoffrey Okema, to Luzira Prison on charges of causing financial loss. The two appeared before Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit on Monday and were charged with five counts related to misappropriation of funds.
According to the court, between April 30th, 2019, and August 8th, 2019, Picho and Okema, along with others still at large, withdrew Shillings 336.3 million from Stanbic Bank Gulu Branch. This amount was mistakenly credited to the school’s account and was allegedly used for personal gain, causing financial loss to the bank. The funds were purportedly meant for Gayaza High School.
It was further alleged that between February 8th and 15th, 2018, the accused withdrew 329.9 million Shillings from the school account for their own benefit. Additionally, Picho, along with Lukwiya Santo, the school bursar, who is still at large, was accused of conspiring to defraud the bank of Shillings 329 million between February 8th, 2017, and February 2018.
Both Picho and Okema denied the charges brought against them. Senior State Attorney Raymond Mugisa, leading the prosecution, informed the court that inquiries are ongoing and requested criminal summons to be issued against Lukwiya for his involvement in the alleged fraud.
In response, Magistrate Opit issued a criminal summons for Lukwiya and ordered Picho and Okema to be remanded until February 21st, 2024. The accused individuals were apprehended by detectives from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, led by Brigadier Henry Isoke.
