Soroti University Officials Suspended Over UGX 464 Million Financial Scandal
The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has ordered the suspension of three officials from Soroti University following their alleged involvement in causing a financial loss of UGX 464,693,000. The suspended officials are Mr. Robert Magemeso, the Bursar; Mr. Abdallah Oyare Shaban, the Deputy Secretary; and Mr. Francis Elyebu, the Principal Estates Officer. They are implicated alongside Mr. Richard Twebaze, Managing Director of M/s Karf Aqua Engineering Solutions Limited.
The interdiction order, signed by Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, Deputy Inspector General of Government, has been sent to the Soroti University Secretary. This action comes after the officials were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro at the Anti-Corruption Court on June 4, 2024. The charges against them include causing financial loss, issuing false certificates, and abuse of office, all in violation of sections 11(1), 20(1), and 25 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009.
The accused were granted bail of UGX 7,000,000 each and required to deposit their passports with the court. Their sureties were also ordered to execute a non-cash bond of UGX 150,000,000 each.
According to Article 230(2) of the Ugandan Constitution and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act, 2002, the IGG has the authority to issue such orders as necessary during investigations or as a result of findings. Public interest necessitates the suspension of these officials from their duties while the case is ongoing.
The details of the charges are as follows:
- Causing Financial Loss: Francis Elyebu and Abdallah Oyare Shaban are accused of issuing a false interim certificate dated June 22, 2021, which claimed that M/s Karf Aqua Engineering Solutions Limited had completed work worth UGX 328,867,000, leading to significant financial loss for Soroti University.
- False Certificates by Public Officers: The same officials are charged with knowingly issuing a false interim certificate that inaccurately represented the completion and cost of the work done by M/s Karf Aqua Engineering Solutions Limited.
- Abuse of Office: Elyebu and Shaban are accused of abusing their office authority by authorizing irregular payments of UGX 328,867,000 to M/s Karf Aqua Engineering Solutions Limited for incomplete work.
- Neglect of Duty: Francis Elyebu is charged with neglecting his duty to ensure that the construction work met the approved designs and specifications.
- Abuse of Office: Abdallah Oyare Shaban and Robert Magemeso are accused of irregularly authorizing and paying UGX 135,826,000 for resupply and reinstallation work, which was not properly executed.
- Causing Financial Loss: Shaban and Magemeso face charges for authorizing payments for work that was not completed as per the contract, leading to financial loss for the university.
- Causing Financial Loss: Richard Twebaze is charged with deviating from approved plans, which caused a financial loss of UGX 328,867,000 to the Government of Uganda.
