Summary:
- Arua City Engineer Charles Omona, accused of embezzling over 28 million Shillings, has been released on Police Bond after refunding the amount, following allegations of irregularly transferring and withdrawing 56 million Shillings from the city’s Treasury single account for personal use, as disclosed by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Arua, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | Arua City Engineer Charles Omona has secured his release on Police Bond by reimbursing a sum exceeding 28 million Shillings, which he was accused of embezzling. Omona was apprehended on November 23, 2023, by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit for alleged misappropriation of funds earmarked for road rehabilitation within the city.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit disclosed that Omona, in collaboration with other suspects still evading capture, unlawfully transferred more than 56 million Shillings from Arua City’s Treasury single account to an imprest account in an unidentified bank and subsequently withdrew it in cash.
According to a statement by the Anti-Corruption Unit, the irregular transactions occurred in June 2023. The funds, intended for service providers engaged in road works and Works Department vehicle maintenance, were entrusted to Omona. However, he reportedly diverted a portion of the money to address personal domestic issues.
Josephine Angucia, the Police Spokesperson for the West Nile Region, revealed that during the Thursday arrest, the Anti-Corruption Unit team discovered 5,000,000 Shillings at Omona’s residence in Arua Academy Cell, Arua Central Division. Following this, Omona’s release on police bond was facilitated after his wife settled a remaining balance of 23.6 million Shillings.
Omona is required to report to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in Kampala on November 27, 2023, for further proceedings.
