PM Nabbanja orders arrest of officers behind Shs800m theft from Traders SACCO

Iganga, Uganda: The Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon Robinah Nabbanja has directed security in Iganga district to apprehend, charge and prosecute all the perpetrators who reportedly stole at least Shs800m of the umbrella SACCO of Lock-up traders in Iganga Town.

The directive followed a public outcry by affected traders during Iganga District’s belated International Women’s Day celebrations held on Sunday at Municipal Council Primary School. The victims, many of whom are women, turned up at the event carrying placards, appealing to the Prime Minister to intervene after losing their savings to SACCO leaders and others yet to be identified.

Their petition was formally presented by Iganga Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Kauma Sauda Alibaawo, who decried the lack of justice despite multiple efforts to pursue the matter.

“I want to inform you, Rt. Hon Prime Minister, the women you have seen with placards told me about their matter after losing Shs800 million in SACCO money. We have their petition. They have even been chased out of their lockups for failing to pay rent. But I assured them that you can handle it,” Hon. Alibaawo reported.

Reacting with urgency, Nabbanja invoked her constitutional mandate and directed Iganga district security to take immediate action. “With the powers entrusted to me by the Constitution of Uganda and as Prime Minister, I order the arrest and prosecution of those thieves. They should also pay back the money. If the money is not available, their assets should be seized,” Nabbanja declared before she was later informed that some suspects had already been apprehended.

Still addressing the gathering, Hon. Alibaawo also asked the Prime Minister to push for the elevation of Iganga General Hospital to a regional referral facility, citing the overwhelming patient load the hospital currently manages from neighboring districts.

“We are hearing a number of rumors that the regional referral hospital is going elsewhere, but we want to insist, Rt. Hon, Iganga needs this facility more than any district. Our general hospital serves the surrounding districts, and the number is overwhelming. Elevating it comes with a number of benefits,” Alibaawo added.

Nabbanja pledged to raise the matter before Cabinet, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening health services in the Busoga sub-region.

“I have heard from Hon. Sauda that you want Iganga General Hospital to be elevated to referral status and I pledge to table it before Cabinet tomorrow,” the Prime Minister assured. She further urged residents to embrace government development programs and fight poverty through hard work.

Responding to a request by Iganga District Women League Chairperson Ms. Jane Baitanunga, Hon Nabbanja also pledged to support the facilitation of local women leaders, including councilors, to undergo leadership training at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi.

The LC5 District Chairperson Iganga district Mr. Gabula Ezera asked the government to revise the GROW program of women to district level such that the programme is closely monitored by the district community development officers to assess those who have benefitted.

The function, which had a bouquet of entertainment from both local artistes and others, was attended by the ex-vice president Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe and the National Chairperson Women League Hajjat Faridah Kibowa.

Others included; the State Minister for Agriculture and Kigulu North MP Hon Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, Kigulu South MP Hon Milton Muwuma, Iganga Municipality MP Hon Mugema Peter alias Panadol, a section of MPs from Busoga, politicians and other dignitaries.