Anti-Corruption Court has today charged and remanded three Ngora District officials and one private company manager over alleged mismanagement of funds worth UGX 1 billion intended for road construction. The accused are Opio Stanslas Francis, the Acting District Engineer; Okello Samuel, the Assistant Engineering Officer; and Oroni Herbert, Station Manager of Retta Solutions Uganda Ltd. They appeared before the Ngora Grade One Magistrates Court on charges of theft and conspiracy to defraud and have been remanded until May 5, 2026.
Investigations indicate that between 2024 and March 2026, the trio, together with others still at large, allegedly conspired to steal fuel worth over UGX 35 million from Ngora District Local Government. The fuel, meant for road works, was reportedly diverted for unauthorized use. During the fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26, Ngora District received a total of UGX 1.75 billion for road construction and maintenance. However, residents and stakeholders noticed that many district roads remained in poor condition, raising suspicions about fund mismanagement.
Okello Samuel, the Assistant Engineering Officer, allegedly received fuel without authorization and without signing for it, working in collusion with Oroni Herbert. Acting District Engineer Opio Stanslas Francis is accused of neglecting his supervisory duties, which contributed to the misappropriation.
The Ugandan government regularly allocates funds to districts for public services like road rehabilitation. Yet, ongoing investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) across the country continue to uncover cases of mismanagement, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight to ensure public resources benefit local communities.
