By John Kamana
The Anti-Corruption Court has convicted a sitting Member of Parliament, a former Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and two other officials in a high-profile corruption case involving the mismanagement of public funds in Namisindwa District.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that Hon. Otukol Samuel, who also serves as a director in Samix Uganda Ltd and Zedkol Financial Services, was found guilty alongside Odap Francis, the former CAO of Namisindwa District; Wamburu Willy, the Acting Chief Financial Officer by then; and Osire Ezekiel, a director of Zedkol Financial Services.
The four were convicted on various charges including causing financial loss, theft, and conspiracy to defraud.
Court proceedings revealed that between June and November 2019, Odap and Wamburu irregularly processed payments under the guise of staff loan deductions to three entities: United for Development SACCO, Samix Uganda Ltd, and Zedkol Financial Services. The payments amounted to UGX 82.5 million, UGX 202.4 million, and UGX 210.4 million respectively.
These transactions were made in violation of Ministry of Public Service guidelines, which require that all staff loan deductions be remitted through a centralized system managed by the Uganda Consumer Lenders Association (UCLA).
Investigations further established that the beneficiary companies were not licensed by the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA), were not members of UCLA, and had not extended any loans to district staff.
The court heard that upon receipt of the funds, Hon. Otukol and Osire withdrew and personally utilized the money.
In its ruling, the court convicted Odap Francis and Wamburu Willy on three counts of causing financial loss and two counts of conspiracy to defraud. Hon. Otukol Samuel was found guilty on two counts of theft and two counts of conspiracy to defraud, while Osire Ezekiel was convicted on one count of theft and one count of conspiracy to defraud.
The convicts are expected to return to court on fools day (April 1, 2026), for sentencing.
The prosecution was led by Senior State Attorney Emily Mutuzo Sendaula before Her Worship Asiimwe Ester.
