Two officials from Apac Municipal in northern Uganda have been arrested on allegations of misusing public funds and abusing their positions. The suspects, Mr. Douglas Odoc, the senior assistant town clerk, and treasurer Bob Bongo Rukis of Agulu Division, Apac Municipality, were apprehended by the Apac Resident District Commissioner, Mr. George Abudul.
It is claimed that the duo diverted funds totaling UGX 26.7 million from the Discretionary Development Equalization Grant (DDEG). This money was originally allocated by the Apac Municipal Council for the construction of the division headquarters, a project that has been on hold for over six months.
The trouble began when Agulu Division chairman, Mr. Julius Okello, locked the division’s offices in protest against the alleged misuse of public funds.
Ms. Lilly Akidi, the senior internal auditor at Apac Municipal, expressed concern that diverting funds like this can hinder development and undermine the decisions made by the council. She stated, “The actions of the senior assistant town clerk and the treasurer were unethical, as they diverted and reallocated project funds for current activities without executive approval. This undermines budgeting processes and hampers the achievement of the intended objectives for which the funds were released.”
Mr. Odoc admitted to the fund diversion, citing reluctance to follow the budget and DDEG guidelines as reasons for his actions.
Mr. Abudul has assured that the suspects are now in custody at Apac Central Police Station, and an investigation into the matter has begun. He emphasized the goal of ensuring the repayment of the misappropriated funds to allow the construction of the division headquarters to continue, stating, “The good thing is that they are in the hands of the investigators, and we shall make sure that justice prevails.”
