By Andrew Irumba
Lira: Several government officials in Lira district are facing arrest for allegedly swindling Shs39m, which was Ex Gratia money meant for Councillors in the district.
SpyUganda has learnt that the money was sent to Lira Municipality account during 2017/2018 and 2018 and 2019 financial years respectively. It was meant to cater for the payment of Ex Gratia for about 70 local councilors from all the four Divisions of Adyel, Ojwina, Railways and Central but they never received it.
Because of this financial anomaly, the police in Lira District are currently investigating circumstances under which the money went missing.
The investigation follows last week’s protest by the councilors at Lira Municipality demanding for their payment.
On Monday, Lira Municipal Mayor Mike Ogwang Olwa recorded a statement after hours of interrogation by the economic crime detectives at Lira CPS.
SP George Obia, the Lira District Police Commander said the investigation is to establish what could have happened to the funds.
DPC Obia said “We are yet to get statements from various key officials at Lira Municipality including the Town Clerk, Samuel Ahabwe among others.”
Milton Odongo, the Lira Resident District Commissioner says he ordered for the investigation after realizing that no Municipal official was willing ready to disclose details about the money.
Geoffrey Omara Okello, the chairperson of the affected councilors welcomed the on-going investigations. Omara insisted that they should be paid their Ex Gratia using money from other sources by the municipal authority.
Town Clerk Ahabwe last week said the money was sent to the municipal when he was not yet the accounting officer and therefore the mater must be investigated by the police.
He confirmed that he is not aware of what could have happened to the money that was sent to the Municipal account by the Finance Ministry.
About 75 Division Councilors last Thursday staged a demonstration protesting nonpayment of their Ex Gratia for over five quarters.
