22 persons in Lira city and district charged with corruption related cases

22 persons in Lira city and district charged with corruption related cases 

By Caesar Okello 

The State House Anti Corruption Unit says they have so far charged 22 persons in the courts of Law in regards to fraudulent acquisition of Government Land and corruption related cases within Lira City and Lira district.

In 2018, the head of State Gen. Rtd. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni establishment the State House Anti Corruption Unit strictly to fight corruption in Uganda.

Since it's inception, the Unit revealed that both ordinary individuals and civil servants in Lira city and district have been charged in the Anti Corruption Court and Lira court circuit respectively.

Addressing media at Lira Hotel on January 12, 2024, the deputy Head of the Unit at State House, Israel Ochwo says out of the 22 charged in court, 4 of them have been convicted.

Among the personalities charged are Joel Okwir who is the former Chairperson area Land Committee Railway Division, Lawrence Okello who is a businessman, Francis Ateng former Manager Zornal Land Offices Lira, Joseph Ocheng, Joseph Ocen Alwong, Patrick Ogweng, former deputy Town Clerk Lira City and Jeff Omara former district and later city planner.

Others are Francis Okello Olwa, Fabious Otike, Basil Opio, Peter Okodo business man, Francis Opio, Joel Ogwang, Rebecca Atto, Anthony Ojuka and one other identified as Julius.

"Some of these people fraudulently acquired government and public land without following the required laws while others encroachment on protected areas such as forest reserves, wetlands and railways line among other offences",says Ochwo.

However, Ochwo refuted accusations put against their investigating officers of being lured into accepting bribes from officials within Lira City to get them plots of Land in Lira City and as well compensate the fabrication of cases to fabricates cases.

He also says that the Anti Corruption Unit has been accused of Witch-hunting Lawrence Okello, a Lira City tycoon yet the case of fraudulent acquisition of part of forest reserve against him is valid. It is upon this backdrop that he advises Mr. Okello immediately make formal complaint to head of the Unit Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke and Director Of Public Procesution to review his case file.

"We can't be derailed from continuing to carry out investigations on other pending cases like that of Lira Tipper Stage among others", Ochwo added.

According to him, since the inception of State House Anti Corruption Unit in 2018, they have managed to charge 543 people in Court out of which 292 were civil servants, 251 ordinary individuals and 42 security officers.

He further revealed that 126 cases are still pending disposal off, 98 convicted while 51 billion shillings was recovered from the culprits .

Lira City Resident City Commissioner, Lawrence Egole commended the Anti Corruption Unit in the efforts of bringing sanity amongst civil servants and the populations through fighting corruption across the country.

Egole said, "the work of State House Anti Corruption Unit in fighting corrupt officials has now started building confidence in Government". 

"Many businessmen and women in Lira City including politicians and the local community have been throwing complaints that the Anti Corruption officers are being lured by Lira City leaders to fight their interests", said Egole.

According to Egole, investigations and arrests are not done in good faith but rather targeting business people who are not supporting them and ordinary individuals who disagree with the leadership of Lira City.