By Kerry Howard Mwesigwa
The Chief Administrative Officer for Lira District in Northern Ben Otim Ogwete was om 16th May 2023 arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on charges of Abuse of Office and Corruption. The officers from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) and the Uganda Police Force apprehended Otim from his residence in Senior Quarters.
Otim faces charges of abuse of office, stemming from his role as the accounting officer of the district. It is alleged that he failed to fulfil his duty as the custodian of government property, ultimately resulting in the illicit disposal of land through the district land board.
One notable accusation against Otim revolves around his purported failure to communicate the decision of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government to suspend activities related to government property in Lira district and Lira city. This alleged inaction allowed fraudulent land transactions to persist unchecked.
The arrest of CAO Ben Otim Ogwete follows a series of similar cases involving district and city officials in Lira implicated in the irregular sale of government land. Recently, Patrick Ogwang, the former Deputy Town Clerk of Lira city, was charged with corruption for his involvement in the allocation of a portion of the Mayor’s Gardens to a private individual.
Prior instances have also seen individuals like Francis Ateng, the former Principal Assistant Secretary overseeing the Ministry of Lands Zonal Office in Lira, facing fraud charges related to land. The involvement of numerous officials in such corruption cases underscores the widespread nature of the problem and the urgent need for action.
The arrest of CAO Ben Otim Ogwete serves as a reminder of the significance of addressing corruption within the land management system. The unlawful sale and disposal of government land not only deprive the public of valuable resources but also erode trust in the government’s ability to safeguard public assets. Efforts to combat corruption in Lira district have gained momentum with the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) taking over the investigations. Mr Ogwete has been remanded until 18th May 2023 when he will appear before the Anti Corruption Court again for further hearing of his case.
