Police in Bukwo district are investigating a financial scandal involving the payment of Shillings 209 million to a contractor for the supply of some items to Kapinyi seed secondary school. The investigations started on Thursday after Anticorruption monitors noted that there was no value for money for the items supplied by Bam construction and surveys limited pinyi to the school.
Joseph Mangusho, a member of the anti-corruption monitors in the district, says that they were shocked to discover that the district paid Shillings 160m to the company for one small CCTV TV camera and UPS and internet connection at Shillings 49,800,000.
“What we have learnt is that there was connivance between the contractor and some district officials, especially in the education department to defraud the government because if you look at what the district claims cost Shillings 209,800,000million actually costs Shillings 60million,” he said.
Joyce Chemutai, another anti-corruption monitor said that even after the equipment was delivered, the district education department didn’t want to show it publically. “When the equipment was brought. It was at night and they kept it inside the church stores and nobody was allowed to access it but we managed to get all the details,” she said.
John Sikorwa, the Kaptererwo Sub-county LC III Chairperson has thrown his weight behind the anti-corruption monitors, saying that his office was never involved in the procurement at any stage. “It’s true these guys have embezzled the money. What they delivered to the school is not worth what has been paid to the contractor,” he said.
Sikorwa wondered how the contractor could spend Shs 49,800,000m for a small box of 8 bottles of reagents for the science laboratory. Benard Wataka, the director of BAM construction and limited denied wrongdoing, saying that he supplied what was agreed upon.
“The Bukwo District Education Officer, Fred Sokuton Twala is aware of it,” he said. Sokuton declined to comment on the matter. Samson Lubega, the Bukwo District Police Commander, said that they have opened up a general file to investigate the matter. He revealed that three people including one staff from Bam construction and surveys limited have recorded statements.
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