Two senior officials from Ntungamo District Local Government have been remanded to custody until May 7, 2025, after being arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on Friday.
Rogers Gadala, an accountant, and Denis Ssozi, a municipal planner, face charges of abuse of office, embezzlement, criminal conspiracy, and electronic fraud.
The charges stem from a joint operation involving the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Anti-Corruption Court itself.
According to the prosecution, Gadala and Ssozi allegedly exploited their positions by fraudulently obtaining their colleagues' passwords, allowing them unauthorised access to the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS), a key government financial platform.
In a statement posted on its X account, formerly Twitter, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit said, "Using this illicit access, Gadala and Ssozi are alleged to have orchestrated the transfer of a substantial sum of Shs33,462,788 directly into their personal bank accounts."
The collaboration between anti-corruption agencies highlights government efforts to crack down on financial crimes at the local government level.
Authorities say the coordinated approach is intended to ensure thorough investigations and successful prosecutions, reinforcing the message that corruption will not be tolerated.
Courtroom reports described an atmosphere of tense anticipation as the charges were read out. Gadala and Ssozi listened intently, showing little emotion as they heard the allegations.
At the end of the proceedings, the court ordered both men to be remanded to custody until their next appearance on May 7.
The case has sparked keen interest in Ntungamo District, where residents are closely following the proceedings and hoping for justice, including the recovery of the alleged misappropriated funds.
The incident has also raised fresh concerns about the security protocols surrounding the IFMS and the risk of insider abuse within government financial systems.
Anti-corruption advocates have praised the swift action taken against the two officials.
They argue that holding public servants accountable is critical to deterring similar misconduct, and that high-profile prosecutions can restore public trust in governance.
Investigations are expected to continue in the coming weeks, potentially uncovering further details about the alleged conspiracy and the flow of the embezzled funds.
The case is seen as an important test of Uganda’s commitment to fighting corruption at all levels of government.