Isaac Zepedele Lusidi, the Amudat district engineer faces arrest again for allegedly causing government a financial loss of 153 million shillings.
In November last year, Lusidi was arrested and charged with three counts of abuse of office, causing government loss of money and embezzlement. He was remanded to Namalu central government prison in Nakapiripirit before being granted a bail as investigation into his case continued.
Lusidi, together with several other senior district officials still at large, is accused of theft of 153 million shillings meant for periodic road maintenance.
Rev. Father Simon Lokodo, the state Minister for Ethics and Integrity on Thursday ordered for the re-arrest of Lusidi saying he has disappeared from the office since last year.
Lokodo accused Lusidi together with some district officials he declined to name for fear of jeopardizing investigations, of authorising payments of several road works and buildings which are unfinished.
He cited among others the more than 150 million shillings he paid to Moroto United Construction Company Limited to construct a 16km stretch of Lapedot-Kasitot road in Karita sub county, Amudat district.
The minister also asked police to look for the directors of Moroto United Construction Company Limited, which the minister described as a ghost company, to refund the money.
Erias Magumba, the Amudat Chief Administrative Officer told Uganda Radio Network on Thursday that Lusidi disappeared from the office last week. He said he was not aware of his whereabouts.
Minister Lokodo is leading a team of detectives from the President’s office to monitor and verify government projects in Karamoja region.
On Wednesday, the minister also ordered for the arrest of three top district officials in Nakapiripirit.
They include Mark Kocho, the Chief Finance officer, Joseph Ngiro Kelia, the Procurement officer and Patrick Oketayot, the District Engineer who are accused of allegedly conniving with contractors to fleece the district of money sent for various construction projects.
