The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has directed 22 officials from Jinja City to refund more than Shs33 million that was reportedly misappropriated, warning that failure to comply will result in prosecution.
In a statement issued on Monday, the IG said investigations conducted by its Jinja Regional Office established that the officials received funds meant for official duties but failed to account for them. The inquiry further found no evidence that the activities for which the funds were requested were ever carried out.
According to the statement, the affected officials are required to deposit the money into the Inspectorate of Government Assets Recovery Account held at the Bank of Uganda. The IG cautioned that any individual who fails to comply with the directive will face prosecution.
“The officials are required to refund the money into the designated account. Any official who fails to comply will be prosecuted,” the statement reads in part.
The IG noted that during the investigations, the implicated officials reportedly acknowledged responsibility and agreed to refund the funds.
The misappropriation contravenes Regulation 123(7)(c) of the Local Government Financial and Accounting Regulations, 2007, which provides that any public officer who fails to account for council funds without reasonable justification commits an offence.
Among those named are senior political and technical officials from Jinja City’s Southern Division. These include the Mayor of South Division, Nasser Asiraf, who is required to refund Shs1,735,000, and the Senior Assistant Town Clerk, Christopher Baliraine, who faces the largest individual refund of Shs4,450,000.
Other officials include Ms. Esther Kwenala, Stenographer Secretary (Shs4,060,000); Ms. Phoebe Monica Kwagala, Probation and Social Welfare Officer (Shs3,840,000); and Ms. Prossie Nanangwe, Senior Assistant Accountant (Shs3,075,000).
The list also includes 10 councillors from the Southern Division, each required to refund between Shs750,000 and Shs1,040,000, alongside internal auditors, community development officers, accountants, and the Deputy Town Clerk.
The IG said its directive is part of broader efforts to enforce accountability and compliance with public financial management regulations in local governments.
