MASINDI CAO, FINANCE OFFICER GRILLED OVER UG.SH 200M

By Yosam Gucwaki
In Masindi—

The chief Administrative officer Masindi district, Christopher Okumu,
and the secretary for finance Kanaginagi Ateenyi have been grilled for
allegedly diverting over 200 million meant for pensioners’ gratuity to
other activities.
The duo was grilled on Friday during the extra ordinary council
meeting held at Masindi district headquarters.
The money was meant to cater for the gratuity of three people who
retired from active civil service at Masindi district local government
including; Blasto Byabakama; the former district production officer,
Milton Mugungu, the former District community development officer and late Iren Tumusiime the former Kimengo sub county community
development officer.
Julian Ayesiga Sarah, the councilor representing Miirya Sub County
said she was disappointed to see the money which came last financial
year failing to reach the beneficiaries. She added that the trio is
suffering a lot in the villages and yet they worked for their money.

She added that by the time they sit for the next council meeting the
concerned should have paid the trio adding that they will not tolerate
other explanations.

Badru Mugabi, the councilor representing central division, accused the
people involved in the saga for setting a wrong precedence hence
demanding the CAO to give an explanation on how the money was
diverted.
Christopher Okumu, the chief Administrative Officer Masindi denied
councilor’s allegations that the money was diverted, arguing that the
issue is that they have not done thorough reviews and analysis of
expenditure before the close of financial 2016/17 adding that for him
he never took part since he was not the Masindi CAO by then.
After being grilled, Kanaginagi Ateenyi, the secretary finance Masindi
district accepted 230 million came last year and it was diverted
without the relevant authorities, Okaying it adding that as the
secretary finance he had charged the ones responsible to explain how
it was done in vain.
Kanaginagi also denied having taken part on what was done on the 230
million shillings and left the burden to the chief administrative
officer.
Kirya moses, the speaker, Masindi district gave the CAO, Christopher
Okumu and the principal internal auditor, David Baguma, one month to
have produced a detailed report on how the money was used adding that
they should produce during the next council meeting which will sit
next month.
Source: www.mknewslink.com; a western Uganda news website.
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Tel:+256702680106.