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State House anti-graft unit storms Lira, arrests DISO

Thursday March 21 2019
Nakaa

The Lira District Internal Security Officer (DISO) has become the latest victim of a crackdown by State House Anti-corruption Unit headed by Lt Col Edith Nakalema.


Mr Gilbert Winyi was arrested by the Nakalema team on Tuesday on accusations that he received Shs100m bribe as an inducement to release a corruption suspect.


Also arrested in the swoop are officials of the district local government and the municipal council.


They include Mr Mike Okidi (the Lira District Internal Auditor), Ms Sarah Adengo (the Lira Municipal Council Assistant Engineer), Mr Fred Minyang (councillor representing Ayago Parish in Lira Municipal Council), Mr Fred Owiny (the Lira Municipal engineer) and Mr Boniface Odora (the suspect who allegedly gave a bribe to the DISO).


Col Nakalema’s interface with the district officials happened at the Lira District local government hall on Tuesday.


The suspects were supposed to appear for further interrogation by Nakalema’s team.

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To ensure that no stone is left unturned, Col Nakalema went on to direct the town clerk, Mr Assy Abirebe, and his deputy Patrick Ogweng, to record statements at Lira Central Police Station and police CIID headquarters to assist with the ongoing investigations.


The storming of the two administrative units by the State House Anti-graft Unit followed numerous complaints by whistleblowers, who called Nakalema’s office through the official toll free lines that were provided to the public.


Among the alleged corruption scandals that had engulfed the two administrative units included a claim to have procured 125 bags of cement and lime whereas not.


The other allegations were the irregular withdrawal of Shs36m from Lira Municipal Council bank account and the irregular award of contract to Saving Grace Primary School to manage Coronation Park.


Further, Col Nakalema ordered several district officials to record their statements with the police to assist in with the investigations.


The officials to record statements are Mr Mike Ogwang Veve (the mayor), Mr Abirebe (the town clerk), Mr Patrick Ogweng (the deputy town claerk) and Mr Emmy Joe Odongo (the LC3 chairman of the Central Division.

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