Three officials of Ministry of Health are in trouble for the mismanagement of funds under the Global Fund II meant for buying insecticide treated mosquito nets. The officials were picked up by CID detectives on Monday from the ministry of Health quarters in Wandegeya and taken to Kibuli for interrogations.
The suspects are Connie Balayo a Senior Policy Analyst, Mary Byangire, the Coordinator with malaria control program and the program officer Bosco Agaba. The suspects allegedly received different amounts of program funds through their private accounts. According to police sources shillings 1 billion was channeled through the private account of Byagire, while Balayo received UGX 75 million through her account that was meant for trainers of trainers training in Apach and sensitization.
Emirian Kayiima, the Deputy Police spokesperson says that trio recorded statements on Monday in connection to causing a financial loss to government and embezzlement. The global fight against Aids, Tuberculosis (TB) and malaria received a major boost of $1.6b in May in investment funds for projects running between 2012 -14. The arrest of the officials follows investigations by police into government departments, ministries and agencies. It also concides with the acquittal of former Health Minister Jim Muhwezi and Alex Kamugisha over the mismanagemt of Global Funds.
