Three top officials of Mitooma People’s Savings and Credits Cooperative Organization-SACCO are in trouble for embezzling members savings to the tune of shillings 21 million. They are Ephraim Banyendera, the outgoing chairperson of Mitooma SACCO board, Benon Bamwebesa, the manager and treasurer Erick Bangi.
Shafiq Sekandi, Mitooma Resident District Commissioner has ordered police to investigate the three officials for alleged financial impropriety. It follows allegations by over 2000 members of the SACCO in April against the officials for the theft of their money. They also accused their board chairperson of incompetence, which has affected the smooth operation of the SACCO.
On 14th, April 2012 members agreed to contract Jimmy Mukasa of BESI associate satisfied accountants based in Kampala to carry out a special Audit report on the Sacco. A financial audit report issued by the firm implicates the trio for causing a financial loss of 21 million shillings. Charles Muhirwe, one of the aggrieved members who were part of the special Audit team says during their one month auditing exercise they discovered forged receipts and double entries of the same items amongst other discrepancies.
The auditors have recommended the sacking of the three implicated officials. Members have also replaced Ephraim Banyendera, the Sacco board chairperson. But Banyendera says he is being framed by some Sacco members whom he allegedly blocked from squandering people’s money. Banyendera claims that Charles Muhirwe the lead petitioner made negative inputs against him when he was included on the special Audit team. He is hopeful that another audit round of investigations would find him innocent.
