Namisindwa official interdicted for returning Shs1.1b to consolidated fund

28 August 2024, 10:28 am

By Kenneth Wamatoyi

The office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in Namisindwa district has suspended Irene Nambuya, the district salaries officer, for causing the return of over Shs 1.1 billion to the national treasury for the last financial year (2023/24).

The funds were intended to pay contractors who had successfully completed construction works at various schools, including Namboko Seed School in the district. The suspension follows a news story broadcast on a local radio station in Mbale about the complaints of contractors who were not paid despite submitting their completion certificates. According to sources who wished to remain anonymous, the suspension letter was delivered to Nambuya on Tuesday morning as she arrived at her office.

A Namisindwa District Education Committee document, discussed last Friday during an education committee meeting, reveals that the contractor for Namboko Seed School was supposed to be paid UGX 772 million, while other schools, such as Buwuma Primary School (Lwakhakha town council), were to receive UGX 58 million, Situyi Primary School (Magale Subcounty) UGX 58 million, and Busulwa Primary School (Tsekululu Subcounty) UGX 64 million.

Jackson Wakwaika, the Namisindwa district LCV chairperson, confirmed the suspension, stating that investigations are ongoing. He revealed that their inquiries found Nambuya responsible for the issue, as she had already approved the payments but failed to follow through, resulting in the return of the funds.

Some contractors, who wished to remain anonymous, welcomed the district’s actions but urged the CAO’s office to expedite the process of reclaiming the refund from the Ministry of Finance as promised.