Former five senior officials of Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation, (UPPC) have been charged over Shs2 billion commission they irregularly obtained from a business deal with another government agency.
Police identified the five suspects as Prof. Wasswa Tom Davis, former Managing Director, Kasekende Mujjuzi Arstraco, former Finance Manager, Kigonya Robert, former Sales Executive Manager, Ahimbisibwe John Baptist, Accountant, and Ayebare Catherine, Assistant Accountant.
Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson said that during the financial years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, UPPC entered into three contracts with the Electoral Commission for; printing and publishing materials for polling stations for purposes of display of the National Register for the 2020/21 General Elections, Nominating Candidates for Parliamentary and Local Government Elections; and Local Government Council Elections.
“As a result, the Electoral Commission transferred to the UPPC an estimated total sum of funds totaling Shs15,153,030,709 (Fifteen billion one hundred fifty-three million, thirty thousand, seven hundred nine shillings), out of which Shs2,261,003,034 was allegedly embezzled,” said Enanga.
He added, “Under clause 5.9.4 of the Sales and Marketing Police of UPPC categorised jobs/contracts from Ministries, Government Departments, and Professional Bodies (under which EC falls), as direct procurement that were not commissionable and as such, did not require the services of a Commission Agent/Business Executive and did not attract a charge of 18% of money paid to UPPC.
The alleged Board resolution, which they claim was passed on December 19, 2019, to alter clause 5.9.4 and introduce an 18% commission of all jobs/contracts from Ministries, Departments, and Professional Bodies were neither filed nor registered with the Uganda Registration Service Bureau (URSB).”
The board is said to have appointed a one Kigonya Robert, a former Sales Executive Manager, as the business executive for Electoral Commission.
“The suspects, caused the fraudulent transfer of funds from the UPPC Company Bank Accounts, on August 8, 2020, May 21, 2021, and June 28, 2021, respectively, into his private account which they quickly withdrew and converted to their private use,” said Enanga.
The five suspects were arrested while three other suspects are on the run.