NEWS- Kabale District Speaker Flavia Kanagyizi has ordered former Ryakarimira Town Council Town Clerk Ampaire Alex to refund over UGX 188 million due to alleged embezzlement. She also recommended his dismissal from public service. During yesterday’s council session on February 20, 2025, she directed former Senior Treasurer Amwesigye Hadad to repay UGX 3,300,000 for similar misconduct.
Speaking to our reporter after the council session, Flavia Kanagyizi said it was unfortunate to see some names not being read during the council session, despite their involvement in embezzlement. “All their names are in the Public Accounts Committee report,” she added.
According to the district speaker, Eng. Tumisiime Jude, in charge of mechanics, had embezzled UGX 9 billion. The PAC Committee agreed that he should refund the money. Agaba Fled, who embezzled a total of UGX 35,820,200, has also not refunded the money.
Kanagyizi emphasized that dismissing public servants from service should not be the primary focus. Instead, emphasis should be placed on making culprits refund the embezzled funds to deter others from committing similar offenses. “They take our money; it’s better we look for them, arrest them, and have them refund the money before dismissing them,” she said.
The district speaker attributed the underdevelopment in the district to embezzlement, citing dilapidated structures at the district. “It’s unfortunate that the little revenue collected is also embezzled,” she added.
However, the District LC5 Chairperson, Nelson Nshangabasheija, who read the Public Accounts Committee report, only mentioned former Ryakarimira Town Council Town Clerk Ampaire Alex, who embezzled over UGX 188 million, and former Senior Treasurer Amwesigye Hadad, who was ordered to repay UGX 3,300,000 for similar misconduct.
When asked why he didn’t read other names, Nshangabasheija challenged the council to focus on those who embezzled large amounts of money. “We have 15 sub-counties in Kabale district, and we can’t tackle everything at once,” he said.
Nshangabasheija wondered why the council was pursuing someone who stole a hen while ignoring those who stole 100 cows, saying, “I don’t know if we have differences.”
