Jinja City Officials Directed to Refund Shs33 Million for Misusing Public Funds

The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has instructed 21 officials from Jinja City to refund a total of Shs33,075,000 misappropriated during official duties.

This follows probes by the IGG’s Jinja Regional Office, which uncovered no proof that activities funded by these facilitation allowances actually took place. The misuse violates Regulation 123 (7)(c) of the Local Government Financial and Accounting Regulations, 2007.

Officials must deposit the funds into the IGG’s Assets Recovery account at the Bank of Uganda. Failure to do so will trigger prosecution.

Among those affected, mainly from Jinja Southern Division, are Mayor Nasser Asiraf, Senior Assistant Town Clerk Christopher Baliraine, Deputy Town Clerk Joy Kasowole, Accountant Musa Waiswa, and Senior Internal Auditor Benard Kintu. Others include Deputy Mayor Maria Babirekere Kasasa and Principal Internal Auditor Juliet Najjaga, along with technical officers and councillors.

Some officials admitted discrepancies and agreed to repay during investigations. Individual directives were issued, with copies to the Jinja City Town Clerk for enforcement.

This action aims to boost accountability in local governments, recover lost resources for better service delivery, and rebuild public trust. More details on the full list will emerge during enforcement.

Source: Daily Monitor