Kampala, (UG):- The Territorial Police in Kampala are holding in custody one Nathan Twinomujuni, the Secretary General of the Uganda Liberal Teachers Union (ULITU) SACCO who was Monday arrested over allegedly misappropriating billions of cash donated to the Savings Cooperatives Union by President Museveni.
The Shs6.6 billion injected into the union last month by the President is part of the Shs20 billion pledged by H.E. Museveni to three National Teacher’s Saccos.
Mr Twinomujuni, accused together with other leaders, including the chairperson, Ms Evans Kaganizo Mutesasira, was picked from the Sacco offices in Kira-Kiwologoma, Wakiso, where they had planned to hold an annual general meeting on Monday.
His arrest was confirmed by Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango who said “He is in our custody as investigations into the matter start.”
Twinomujuni’s arrest came a day after the disgruntled members told journalists that the Sacco leadership misused more than Shs3.6b of the money that was given to them by the President. The members had also petitioned the Trade minister to stop the meeting, which prompted security personnel to deploy heavily at the Sacco offices.
As members and journalists arrived for the meeting, plain-clothed security officers were deployed at the union headquarters with the SACCO chairperson, Mr Evans Mutesasira reportedly going into hiding for some time.
However, after security personnel left the venue with the arrest of Mr Twinomujuni, this prompted the Mutesasira to join other members who had turned up for the AGM.
“We have got interruptions from security agencies. They have been chasing after me since morning, that is why I have not been here,” Mr Mutesasira said, upon returning at 4 pm.
The Chairperson alleged that an official of the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) programme, who he did not identify, was consistently demanding Shs1b of the money accredited to their account by President Museveni.
He vowed not to give any money to the alleged OWC official, insisting that the money was given to teachers for poverty alleviation.
Mr Mutesasira further claimed that the same person is conniving with bankers to transfer their money to his account without their consent. “That person wants to steal our money meant for the Sacco and the bank will be held accountable in case we lose anything from the account,” he said.
He demanded the immediate release of the secretary general, whom he claimed did nothing wrong. The meeting was adjourned to March 30, 2025. “He has not mismanaged any funds as they claim. We have all our money and the accountability is there,” he said, asking all those claiming that they are misusing funds to provide evidence.
When approached for a comment, Capt Wilson Kato Agaba, the spokesperson for Operation Wealth Creation, condemned the alleged act and asked the teachers to formally report the issue for investigations.
“That is not accepted. The money given to Saccos by the President should be used for the purpose it deserves. We are going to investigate our staff over those allegations,” he said.
Teachers under the union have claimed that a section of top management of their Sacco is mismanaging their funds. The group led by Mr Andrew Kwete, the vice chairperson of the Sacco, asked the government to investigate the Sacco.
He claimed that upon receiving Shs6.6 billion on November 18, the following day, the chairperson and secretary general withdrew Shs74 million. He added that after two weeks, Shs3.6 billion was already withdrawn, with its whereabouts yet to be known.
Mr Mutesasira admitted that it is true they have used part of the money to acquire their headquarters offices, buying 150 acres of land in Hoima and funding teachers’ projects.
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