Shock: School Headmaster Buys Saucepan Shs1.8m In World Bank Project

By Francis Otucu

The police in Iganga are holding six people for alleged embezzlement of shillings 1.2 billion meant to fund the multi-sectoral food and nutrition project in government aided schools.

Among those in custody is Daniel Okoth, the head teacher of Bulyasime Primary School in Iganga district who procured five small saucepans at Shs1.8m.

Others are; Sula Nantatya (District Production Officer), Edward Bukye (headteacher Nakalama Primary School), Peter Kyandya (a teacher at Nawamondo Primary School) and Annet Mutonyi, a teacher at Mulanga Primary School in Bugweri.

The suspects were arrested in a surprise operation conducted by the police, RDC Eva Kwesiga and other district officials.

Kwesiga said that the operation was conducted after a recent audit report indicated that most of the funds under the World Bank funded project was swindled.

“When you look at the paper work you can imagine that things are going on well yet it’s terrible,” she said.

She revealed that similar operations are to be conducted in the two districts of Iganga and Bugweri and that all culprits involved in embezzlement of funds meant for the project face arrest.

“The would be beneficiaries of the program are not getting anything yet these officials are developing huge bellies and buying expensive vehicles,” she fumed.

She said Iganga district received Shs1.3b in the last financial year to fund the multi sectoral food and nutrition project.

However only Shs50m, she said can be accounted for.

The district production officer Nantatya was arrested after a science teacher Alfred Malinga accused him of inflating figures meant for the project yet few things were purchased.

Malinga who is in charge of the project at the school said they were forced to sign on documents indicating that two tins of cabbages, 5 sacks of sweet potato cuttings had been purchased at Shs10m.

Okoth, the head teacher Bulyasime primary school said he had bought five small saucepans from one of the shops in Iganga town worth Shs1.8m.

Up on being interrogated on whether he could produce a receipt to back his claims, he insisted he would pick it the following day.

However some of the suspects said they were falsely being accused of embezzling the funds yet it was their superiors at the district.

Sarah Nakiyemba said she was only instructed to purchase goods following the directive from senior education officials.

“Am always given a specific amount of money to purchase goods for a specific item but am shocked to hear that am also being implicated,” she said.

The deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Iganga Idd Batenganya promised to conduct regular inspection visits to all schools under the project avoid a repeat of the same mess.

The District Police Commander, Iganga Davis Ndawula said investigations into the matter were still under way and that the accused will soon appear before court answer charges of embezzlement in case investigations are complete.