EMYOOGA FUNDS: 3 OFFICERS BEHIND BARS FOR CHEWING UGX 65M

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By Ambrose KwerondaIn Kabalewww.mkneslink.comThe territorial Police in Kabale are holding three members of the Kabale Municipality Elected Leaders Emyooga SACCO in connection with the alleged theft of Shs 65,095,000, money belonging to the association.
The suspects, all executive members of the SACCO, were arrested on Wednesday following months of investigations into what police describe as a well-coordinated internal fraud scheme that spanned over a year.
The arrested persons include: Ignatius Mwesigwa, 38, the Southern Division Speaker and resident of Omukirwa Cell, Karubanda Ward who also served as the Chairperson of the SACCO, Akatukunda Susan Abby, 44, a Southern Division Councilor from Nyakakika Cell in Karubanda Ward, who served as the SACCO Secretary and Tumwakire Francis, 45, a salesman and resident of Kijurera Cell, Bukoora Parish, Kitumba Sub-county, who was the SACCO Treasurer.
According to police spokesperson for Kigezi Region, ASP Elly Maate, the three officers conspired between March 22, 2023 and September 27, 2024 to siphon funds from the SACCO’s account held at Centenary Bank, Kabale Branch, account number 3202647544.
Police say the matter came to light on November 4, 2024, when SACCO members demanded accountability from their chairperson, Mwesigwa, after noticing irregularities in the group’s financial records. Under pressure, Mwesigwa reported the matter to Kabale Central Police Station.
Investigators subsequently recorded statements from several SACCO members and retrieved all relevant documentation which included the SACCO’s internal financial books, membership records, and the official bank statements that highlighted suspicious and unaccounted-for withdrawals.
Also as part of the investigation, the police submitted the contested withdrawal slips, along with sample signatures of the suspects, to handwriting experts. The expert report allegedly confirmed that the questioned signatures matched those of the suspects, linking them directly to the unauthorized cash withdrawals.
Upon reviewing the evidence gathered by police, the Kabale Resident State Attorney (RSA) sanctioned the case file, approving 29 counts of theft against the trio.
They are expected to be produced before court to take plea.
Police spokesperson ASP Maate assured the public that the territorial police remain committed to ensuring accountability and combating financial crimes, especially those involving leaders entrusted with community development funds.