UGANDA, Kitgum | Real Muloodi News | Story Update: 27th May 2023: The Anti-Corruption Court has recently charged two Kitgum officials, Morish Atwom (Commercial Officer) and Denish Ocira (Agricultural Officer), for their alleged involvement in diverting funds amounting to over UGX 500 million that was intended for the Poverty-Targeted Dairy Market Chain Project (PDM).
The recently charged officials join the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and others who were previously charged in connection with the same case.
According to the Anti-Corruption Court Uganda, the two Kitgum officials stand accused of diverting funds that were allocated for the PDM project.
The project aimed to support and develop the dairy market chain to alleviate poverty in the region.
They are alleged to have misappropriated the funds for personal gain.
Original Story, published 21 May 2023: Three Kitgum District officials have been charged and remanded for allegedly diverting Parish Development Model (PDM) funds over USh500 million at the Kitgum District Local Government Offices.
Those remanded are, Mr Joel Musisi, Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Stephen Omony Lakwonyero, Principal Assistant Secretary, and Ms Agnes Aryemo, sector accountant/production officer.
The accused individuals were brought before Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro at the Anti-Corruption Court to enter their pleas.
They denied the charge of diverting public resources meant for the Parish Development Model implementation, which violates sections 6 and 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009 as amended.
The three suspects, through their lawyer, sought bail on various grounds, including the bailable nature of the charge, their right to apply for bail, and Ms Aryemo’s health condition of sickle cell disease.
However, the prosecution, led by Ms Safina Bireka, objected to the bail application due to insufficient sureties presented on their behalf, the suspects did not demonstrate their ability to refund the money, and there was a risk of absconding if granted bail.
They were remanded until May 24, when their case will be mentioned.
The court issued criminal summons against Mr Morish Atwom, District Senior Commercial Officer, and Mr Denish Ocira, District Agricultural Officer, as investigations were still ongoing. The two were summoned to appear and enter their pleas.
According to the prosecution, the three, along with others who are still at large, allegedly diverted PDM funds over USh526,370,000 between July and August 2022.
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