The Inspectorate Of Government (IG) has apprehended Rakai district authorities and individuals suspected of involvement in the misdirection of desks originally intended for government-aided schools as part of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme.
Among those arrested on Monday were Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Edward Kamya, former District Vice-Chairperson Ismael Bwanika, and District Education Officer Stephen Ssemutono.
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The Rakai Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Sarah Kiyimba, who ordered the arrest of the implicated district authorities and their suspected accomplices, confirmed the detentions. The suspects are expected to face trial at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.
Prior to this, Rakai District Council Vice-Chairperson Ismael Bwanika was summoned by the Police to address concerns regarding the alleged diversion of government furniture designated for UPE primary schools under the School Facilities Grant (SFG) programme.
Following Police action, desks that were found in a private secondary school at Kiganda in Luanda sub-county were seized. These desks were originally intended for the Church of Uganda-founded Kiganda Primary School under the UPE program.
The Rakai RDC, Sarah Kiyimba, directed the Police to summon the relevant district authorities to explain how the UPE desks ended up at Kiganda Private Secondary School.
The Southern Police region spokesperson, Twaha Kasirye, informed us that the desks were recovered from the affected school and handed over to Rakai Central Police Station as evidence.
The Police initiated an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for school desks allocated to Kiganda Primary School.
In an interview, RDC Sarah Kiyimba stated that she noticed the irregularity and instructed the Police to investigate and apprehend those responsible for diverting government property to private use. She emphasized that such misconduct by leaders should not be taken lightly and those involved must be held accountable.
According to anonymous sources within the district administration, some district authorities are believed to have been accomplices in the desk diversion.
Kiganda Church of Uganda Primary School was supposed to receive 13 desks under the School Facilities Grant (SFG) programme, but only six desks were delivered.
It has been reported that Rakai District Chairperson Samuel Ssekamwa removed the district vice-chairperson from his position due to allegations of involvement in the furniture diversion.
District council education sector committee member, Stephen Ssemutono, said that the committee had identified Kiganda Church of Uganda Primary School as one of the needy schools eligible for government desk allocations.
