Mr. Norman Ijuka, an official in charge of the Arua area at the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), has been apprehended on allegations of causing financial loss amounting to Shs100 million. The arrest, ordered by the Inspectorate of Government, was carried out on January 3, after Mr. Ijuka had been on the run.
The accusations against Mr. Ijuka involve the theft of water pipes designated for the Odupi water project in Omugo Sub-county, Terego District. Additionally, he is accused of stealing iron bars, concrete blocks, and assorted paints valued at Shs30 million from the construction site of an office block meant for the Arua Area NWSC office.
The offense of causing financial loss, as stated by the Anti-Corruption Act of 2009, carries penalties of a fine not exceeding Shs7.2 million, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years, or both.
The allegations surfaced in December following a whistleblower’s report, exposing a purported racket within NWSC that involves the illegal use of government property for personal gain. The stolen items are alleged to be stored in illegal outlets and sold, with some reportedly crossing the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
NWSC Managing Director, Mr. Silver Mugisha, confirmed that internal investigations had been conducted, and Mr. Ijuka was found culpable of stealing pipes worth Shs76.5 million. Action based on the investigation’s report is imminent.
An internal audit report for the quarter from July to September 2023 also highlighted missing pipes related to the Odupi Borehole priority project. The report indicated that while 862 UPVC pipes worth Shs102 million were received, only 156 were laid, leaving 706 pieces valued at Shs83 million unaccounted for. The report implicated the area engineer and technical supervisor for the financial loss.
Mr. Mugisha emphasized that NWSC has robust internal mechanisms to detect and address such incidents. The institution’s commitment to discipline and accountability is reflected in its human resource manual, and appropriate actions will be taken against those responsible.
