ABIM – Police in Abim district in Karamoja sub-region in northeastern Uganda have arrested a senior staff working with the office of the Auditor General (AG) for alleged theft of a generator worth UGX200million.
The generator which was procured by the ministry of water to pump and supply water to over 80,000 people in Lotuke Sub County in Abim district disappeared from where it was installed.
Mr. Lawrence Awogon, a senior Auditor in the office of Auditor general for western Uganda attached to Mbarara district was arrested on Friday by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner Abim Ms. Proscovia Acham after he was found using the stolen generator at his business place known as hide park bar in a Soroti town.
According to Ms. Proscovia, they have been looking for the generator since it was stolen from Orwamuge two years ago.
Mrs. Acham said they combed all the districts in northern Uganda looking for the generator which was later got running in Mr. Awogon’s business place in Soroti.
“We have looked for this generator now two years and it has been hard for us,” she said.
Mr. Robert Katuramu the district police commander Abim confirmed the arrest of Mr. Aogon saying police was finalizing with the file to produce the suspect before court.
Ms. Gloria Nakibuuka the Public Relations Officer in the Auditor General’s office when contacted said she was ignorant about the issues.
Mr.Ashaka Mpimbasa the Resident District Commissioner Abim said it’s unfortunate that the people employed by the government to fight corruption are the same people stealing government properties.
He cautioned police against playing around with such cases saying they will face it rough should they try to disorganize the file.
“This man must appear before the court and answer charges no need to delay as usual,” he said.