The Inspector General of Government Betty Kamya has announced that officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) who misappropriated amount totaling Shs.9.7 bn have consented to refund it.
The IGG revealed that they agreed to refund the money by writing an agreement and provided securities to avoid a legal option of court.
In a Press Statement released by the IGG, she refused to name the officials, however confirmed that they signed an agreement to refund the entire amount within 28 months also notified their respective institutions on the misappropriated charges.
”The Inspector General of Government may, during the course of his or her duties or as a consequence of his or her finds, make such orders and give such directions as are necessary and appropriate in the circumstances,” read part statement.
In October 2021, the IGG started investigating the alleged misappropriation of Shs.10 Billion by officials from the Agriculture Ministry, after being tipped off by a whistle blower.
Upon investigation, the IGG established that during COVID-19 lock down, these ministry officials transferred Shs. 10.2bn to the Bukalasa Agricultural Collage (BAC) and Fisheries Training Institute (FTI).
Out of the Shs10.2bn, only 1.5bn was absorbed by the training institution since they were closed to students due to covid-19.
The rest of the money totaling Shs.8.7bn was mismanaged and misappropriated by the said officials who spent it on non-existent activities at the schools.
Mrs. Kamya says after confirming these facts, the suspects requested to meet her and in the meeting, they undertook to refund the money on the inspectorate of Government Asset Recovery Account.
The IGG said that her decision to undertake mutual agreement with culprits to refund the money, rather than prosecution as time saving and recovery of the total amount is guaranteed as suspects willingly comply.