Namisindwa District Engineer, Robert Mukelule Tululukha has been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo to answer charges of embezzlement of public funds.
Mukelule who was arrested last week has been charged with one count of embezzlement of public funds and one count of causing financial loss of Shs10m contrary to Section 19(a) (III) and Section 20(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009.
Mukelule pleaded not guilty to both charges before Grade I Magistrate, Albert Asiimwe.
His arrest resulted from the recent value for money assessment visits that the Minister of State for Economic Monitoring Peter Ogwang conducted in Bugisu Sub region in November last year. Ogwang was in Namisindwa District on 23rd November 2021 where he unearthed several nonexistent projects, shoddy works in the implementation of Government projects.
Prosecution alleges that between October and November 2020, Mukelule stole Shs10million meant for the opening up of Nabewo Road in Magale Town Council District. During Ogwang's visit, the road was found never to have been worked on despite paper accountability showing that the money was spent for the right cause. This is the first case to be prosecuted resulting from the recent project monitoring field visits by Ogwang.
Mukelule was later granted bail after presenting substantial sureties that included John Musila, who is the MP for Bubulo East County in Namisindwa District. The Magistrate gave a Shs1m cash bail for Mukelule and Shs5m noncash for the two sureties. The case will return for mention on 22, March 2022.