A coordinated anti-corruption operation has led to the arraignment of three individuals, including senior Ngora District officials, over allegations of theft and conspiracy to defraud involving funds allocated for road maintenance.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), presented the accused before the Ngora Grade One Magistrates Court on charges relating to the mismanagement and diversion of public resources meant for infrastructure development.
The accused are Francis Stanslas Opio, the Acting District Engineer of Ngora District; Samuel Okello, Assistant Engineering Officer; and Herbert Oroni, the Station Manager at Retta Solutions Uganda Ltd.
Authorities have confirmed that the suspects have been remanded in custody until 5th May 2026 as investigations continue.
Prosecutors allege that between 2024 and March 2026, the accused persons, together with others still at large, conspired to steal fuel valued at over Shs 35 million, which was the property of Ngora District Local Government.
The fuel was reportedly fraudulently claimed to be for road works within the district, despite evidence suggesting it was diverted for unrelated use.
Investigations further indicate that during the Financial Years 2024/25 and 2025/26, Ngora District Local Government received approximately Shs 1.75 billion for road construction and maintenance.
However, concerns were raised by residents and stakeholders over poor service delivery and substandard road works across several parts of the district, prompting scrutiny into the use of the funds.
It is alleged that Samuel Okello repeatedly received fuel without proper authorization or the required signatures, and without the knowledge of his supervising officer. The fuel is believed to have been diverted in collusion with Herbert Oroni of Retta Solutions Uganda Ltd.
Authorities further contend that Stanslas Opio, in his capacity as acting District Engineer, failed to exercise proper supervisory oversight over the Assistant Engineering Officer, a lapse investigators say enabled the alleged misappropriation of fuel and abuse of public resources.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit noted that the case forms part of ongoing nationwide investigations into the management of road funds allocated to districts and municipalities.
Officials emphasized that such funds are intended to improve service delivery through road rehabilitation and maintenance, but continue to be undermined by corruption and mismanagement in some local governments.
Investigations are ongoing, with authorities indicating that more suspects may be apprehended as efforts to recover misappropriated public resources continue.
