The Ministry of Finance, Planning has confirmed the arrest and detention of some of its officials attached to the Accountant General’s Office (AGO) as part of ongoing investigations into the diversion of shs60 billion from Bank of Uganda.
Several officials including the accountant General, Lawrence Semakula,Jennifer Muhurizi, Mubarak Nansamba, Tony Yawe, Paul Lumala, Mark Kasuku, a one Nayebare, Judith Ashaba, and Deborah Kusiima were arrested the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in a crackdown .
In a statement , the Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary, Ramadhan Ggoobi confirmed the officials were arrested after being summoned by CID to report as part of ongoing investigations.
“The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development wishes to inform the general public, all other Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Local Governments, as well as the development partners, that due to ongoing investigations relating to some operations at the treasury, some officers attached to the Accountant General’s Office (AGO) were summoned and detained by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to facilitate the conclusion of the investigations,” Ggoobi said.
He however assured the public that the ministry is fully cooperating with investigating authorities and has provided the necessary support to ensure due process.
“The Ministry has provided the investigating authorities full support and ensured that all the concerned officers fully cooperate as required,” he stated.
“We wish to assure everyone concerned that all our services, including those provided by the AGO, are operating normally,” he added.
The deputy BoU governor, Michael Atingi-Ego recently said suspicious transactions involved USD 6.134 million intended for the World Bank which was misdirected to a company called Roadway Company Limited via MUFG Bank in Japan on September 12, 2024.
The second was USD 8.596 million earmarked for the African Development Fund which was fraudulently paid to MJS International London in the UK on September 28, 2024.
He said upon noticing the discrepancies, BoU immediately launched internal investigations and reported the matter to the CID and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA).
