Allegations have surfaced in Kole North, Kole District, suggesting that corrupt leaders have misappropriated Shs131 million from multiple accounts belonging to Emyooga Saving and Credit Cooperative Societies (Saccos) since 2021. Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti, the Kole North County Member of Parliament, disclosed that the unaccounted funds were systematically withdrawn from 15 Emyooga Sacco accounts in his constituency without detection.
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During oversight activities, Dr. Opio discovered discrepancies in the funds, revealing a total of Shs131 million stolen. For instance, the Kole North Performing Artists Sacco reportedly received Shs13 million, but Shs30 million was withdrawn from their account, resulting in a loss of Shs17 million. This pattern extended to 15 out of 16 Saccos in Kole North, indicating a coordinated fraud scheme.
Dr. Opio’s findings prompted Ms. Fatuma Namukwaya, deputy head of the Anti-corruption Unit at the Internal Security Organisation, to initiate an investigation into the Emyooga and Parish Development Model (PDM) in Kole. However, the district chairman, Mr. Moses Andrew Awany, dismissed Dr. Opio’s allegations as politically motivated, attributing them to internal conflicts within the livelihood programs.
In contrast, Mr. Esau Ekachelan, the Kole District Chief Administrative Officer, expressed disagreement with Dr. Opio’s claims, asserting that there are no significant issues in the livelihood programs. Despite conflicting statements, the allegations have raised concerns about financial mismanagement within the Emyooga Saccos in Kole North.
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