The Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for Nakawa, Edrine Benesa, has ordered the arrest of the chairperson of the Nakawa Market Vegetable Emyoga Sacco, Denis Muliisi, and the Sacco secretary, identified only as Kasoma, over allegations of mismanaging more than Shs6 million under the government's Emyoga programme.
The directive followed complaints from traders operating in Nakawa Market, who accused the Sacco leadership of failing to account for funds allocated to support members through the Emyoga initiative.
During a meeting convened to address the complaints, the Sacco treasurer, Saleh Anthony, accused Muliisi of running the organisation without consulting fellow leaders and of unilaterally handling members' funds.
"The chairperson became untouchable in the Sacco and has been using Emyoga funds as he wished," Saleh alleged.
Benesa directed Muliisi to explain the whereabouts of the more than Shs6 million reportedly missing from the Sacco's accounts.
In his defence, Muliisi denied misappropriating the money but said he was prepared to refund the funds to safeguard the integrity of the Emyoga programme.
"Although I did not steal the money, I am ready to pay it back for the good of the Emyoga programme," Muliisi said.
He also appealed for forgiveness, saying his limited education may have contributed to administrative errors in managing the Sacco.
Several Sacco members also accused the chairperson of distributing funds to beneficiaries in a manner they claimed was inconsistent with Emyoga programme guidelines.
Following the meeting, Benesa ordered police to arrest Muliisi and Kasoma to assist with investigations into the management of the Sacco's finances.
"Any Sacco leaders found to have mismanaged government programme funds will be arrested," Benesa warned.
However, Muliisi and Kasoma denied the allegations, accusing the treasurer of working with others to undermine their leadership and destabilise the Sacco.
Police have commenced investigations into the allegations.
