BIG STORY: Six OPM Officials charged with corruption over substandard relief items

KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has charged six top officials working in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) over corruption in regard to the procurement of substandard relief items meant for Kasese flood victims. The items according to court include mosquito nets, blankets, and tarpaulins among others.

Three of the six officials were charged before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo on Tuesday and these included Mr Godfrey Kaima, the OPM Accounting Officer, Mr. Cyprian Dhikusooka, the Principal Disaster Management Officer, and Mr Kizito Mugerwa, the Procurement Officer.

These were later released on a cash bail of Shs50m.

However, the three indicated officials that did not turn up before the Anti-Corruption Court are; Ms Rose Nakabugo, the Acting Commissioner Disaster Preparedness & Management, Mr Daudi Bukomooko, Principal Assistant Secretary, and Martin Odongo, Disaster Management Officer.

The trio’s absence prompted the trial judge to issue criminal summons against them.

The Corruption Charges

Prosecution alleges that in the month of June this year, Mr Kaima, without a written contract and clearance from the Solicitor General, irregularly made payment worth Shs295m for blankets in favour of Emax Supplies & Logistics Ltd.

Mr Kaima is further accused of having in the same month, without clearance or written contract from the Solicitor General, irregularly made payment worth Shs369m for tarpaulins in favour of Construction and Supply Ltd under two accounts of office abuse.

Mr Dhikusooka, Mr Kizito, and Mr Odongo are accused of having been appointed as members of Evaluation Committee, reported that Canaana Supply and Construction Ltd complied with submission of documents for the eligibility whereas no documents were filed to procure tarpaulins contrary to the PPDA laws under three accounts of office abuse.

Ms Nakabugo and Mr Dhikusooka were also accused of having been under the charge of corruption after making a requisition for the procurement of blankets, and neglected to provide a clear statement of requirements with specifications, a duty they were required to perform under the PPDA laws.

Mr Kaima was charged alone under the offense of causing financial loss, in which he is accused of omitting to deduct withholding tax totaling Shs164m while making payments for blankets, mosquito nets, and tarpaulins to Emax Supplies & Logistics, Canaan Supply and Construction, and Double Way General Supplies, whereas Mr Dhikusooka was accused of failing to effectively supervise the performance of a contract that resulted in the supply of substandard items which attracted payment of Shs112m.