The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has arrested three officials, including the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Lira District Local Government, over the alleged diversion of Shs200 million in public funds meant for development activities in Arua District.
Those arrested are Ismael Ochengel, the CAO of Lira District Local Government; Roy Angumaniyo, the Chief Finance Officer of Arua District Local Government; and Andeku Shaphan Glead Avua, a retired district planner who previously worked with Arua District Local Government.
According to the Inspectorate, Ochengel was arrested in Lira, while Angumaniyo and Avua were arrested in Arua.
The Inspectorate said the three allegedly diverted Shs200 million in Discretionary Development Equalisation Grant (DDEG) funds during the 2017/2018 financial year.
Prosecution alleges that the money, which was intended for the procurement of fixed assets, was used for purposes unrelated to those for which it had been allocated.
At the time of the alleged offence, Ochengel was serving as CAO of Arua District Local Government, Angumaniyo as Chief Finance Officer and Avua as district planner.
The trio are expected to be arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, according to the Inspectorate.
The Inspectorate of Government said it remained committed to enforcing the law against public officers accused of misusing public funds intended to support service delivery.
The allegations have not been proved in court, and the accused are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
