By Our Reporter
The Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Crime
Intelligence (CIID) has launched an extensive investigation into the disappearance
of old bank notes at the Bank of Uganda (BoU) that were meant for disposal but ‘grew’
wings and took to the heels on learning they were to be disposed of like any other
useless garbage!
It’s a practice at the central bank to discard old bank
notes but replace them bank into the economy. Now.what is likely to happen is
that a replacement might be released thinking the old ones are no longer in
circulation only to meet at one of Cashiers’ desks in Supermarkets.
Infact, according to CIID operatives who didn’t want to be
mentioned, but who are involved in this investigation, some officials charged
with this activity at BoU have been pocketing some of these bank notes meant
for destruction.
One such official mentioned severally, and without fear of
contradiction is Charles Ocheng Kasedde, who until August of 2019 headed
treasury at BoU’s unit in Mbale.
CID spokesperson Charles Twine also was quoted via phone by
bwino online on Saturday that Kasedde was arrested, as a key in the said crime
and was already being ‘useful’ to the ongoing investigations, Twine said.
According to Twine, the central bank administration had
earlier detected fraud, which prompted them to fire Kasedde. “ I think BoU
bosses had already acted on him by firing him, I’m sure they must have smelt
something not right, because he wasn’t laid off over his mandatory age, he was
still legible and strong to serve,” Twine was quoted saying. (plumascounty.org)
Meanwhile, according to Twine, detectives examined CCTV
footage, which showed Kasedde carrying loads of cash.
Over Shs400 million meant to be discarded has been lost through
such schemes, sources said.
Investigators are also looking into the wealth obtained by
Charles Ocheng while at the bank. His case file is already at the Directorate
of Public Prosecution for scrutiny.
The CID spokesperson said more officials have been put on
the spotlight, with detectives focusing on abuse of office, theft,
embezzlement, financial loss among other cases.
This is another major probe into the central bank, following
last year, where officials were arrested and charged after newly printed
currencies were reportedly flown from Europe into the country alongside other
cargo.
While BoU’s contract with the printer stipulates that the
money be chartered on a plane alone, when it arrived, authorities discovered
that it had been delivered alongside cargo belonging to prominent businessmen
in the country and some other organizations.
Consequently, Francis Kakeeto and Fred Wanyama – currency
managers at Mbale and Kabale branches respectively, were arrested and charged
with abuse of office and corruption.
The duo was punished for allowing unauthorized cargo to be
carried on a BoU chartered plane carrying its consignment.
Charles Malinga Akol, the director for currency at the
central bank, was also charged with corruption and abuse of office.
The trio has since denied the charges and been released on court
bail.
