By Spy Uganda
Untold shame engulfed the family of Martin Owor, the Commissioner in charge of Disaster Preparedness in the Office of the Prime Minister, after security officials raided his home on Friday, from where they recovered food and other relief items that were meant to be given out to Ugandans affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.
Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema’s State House Anti-corruption Unit raided Owor’s country home from where they recovered sacks of maize and beans, sewing machines and other assorted items which were to be distributed as relief to poor Ugandans, although they somehow were diverted to the Commissioner’s home despite the fact that there was no disaster there.
Shortly after the raid, Lt. Col. Nakalema tweeted thus; “Martin Owor- Commissioner in-charge of Disaster Preparedness @OPMUganda, and 3 other senior OPM officials are in police custody. We found hundreds of kilos of food and other items meant to support Ugandans in need stored in Martin’s house. #COVID19UG”
She added that; “As directed by His Excellency the President, we will make sure that anyone abusing their offices- especially in these challenging days of #COVID19UG, is brought to book. We rely on information provided by you, the public. Thank you. Keep it coming. We are in this fight together.”
Owor was arrested together with the OPM Permanent Secretary Christine Kintu Guwatudde, Accounting Officer/Under Secretary Joel Wanjala and Assistant Commissioner for Procurement Fred Lutimba.
Besides Owor who was nabbed red-handed with stolen relief items, the suspects are all accused of allegedly inflating prices for maize flour, beans and other relief items in order to pocket kickbacks during procurement.
They allegedly turned down suppliers quoting lower prices and ended issued LPOs in favor of more expensive providers, thereby causing government a loss of Shs4bn.
According to preliminary investigations from Lt. Col. Nakalema’s Unit, the suspects committed government to pay Shs3,900 per Kg of maize flour (posho), yet the market price is Shs2,500. For beans, they bought a Kg at Shs4,500 yet 1Kg costs Shs4,000.
This meant that for every 1Kg of posho they pocketed Shs900 and Shs500 for every Kg of beans.
In total, they purchased 9,030,000kgs and 635,000kgs for beans, which was just 5% of the entire quantity government required to distribute to it’s 1.5m residents of in Wakiso and Metropolitan Kampala.
Their case file is being handled by AIP Bernard Ochaya and SP Jackson Tweheyo, at the Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Directorate (CIID)
Owor’s Wealth Exposed
However, we have since established that whereas Owor is so heartless to the extent of stealing food that was meant to be given to poor people in Uganda, he is a stinking rich man.
Our Spies reveal that Owor is has amassed immense wealth during the time he has worked at the OPM whereby he has properties in several parts of the country.
According to reliable sources, Owor is one of the renowned landlords in Hoima district, where he owns several commercial buildings and residential properties, which include but are not limited to the following;
Hoima Resort
One of his multimillion investments is Hoima Resort, which is among the top recreation facilities in Bunyoro sub-region. The hotel usually hosts tourists and expatriates working in the oil fields. Owor is said to harvest millions of shillings from the venture which has over 150 rooms each year.
Kijungu Hill Hotel
Besides the swanky Hoima Resort, Owor also owns Kijungu Hill Hotel in Hoima town, although he is said to also own another hotel. All his three hotels target employees of oil exploration companies in the Albertine Graben.
Livestock Farm
Apart from Hoima Resort, Owor also owns a commercial farm in Hoima district, which bears both in livestock and plantations.
It should be noted that apart from these properties, Owor, who was a few years back linked to former OPM Principal Accountant Geoffrey Kazinda’s multibillion scandal, also owns several residential properties and vehicles.
