Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has remanded Gulu High School Headteacher, Paul Kennedy Picho, and the former Accountant, Bertin Geoffrey Okema, to Luzira Prison on charges of causing financial loss. The two appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit on Monday on five counts.
The court heard that between April 30th, 2019, and August 8th, 2019, at Stanbic Bank Gulu Branch, Picho and Okema, along with others still at large, withdrew Shillings 336.3 million, which was wrongly credited into the school’s account, and utilized it for personal gain, knowing or having reason to believe that such actions would cause financial loss to the bank. These funds were purportedly meant for Gayaza High School.
It was also alleged that they withdrew 329.9 million Shillings from the school account between February 8th and 15th, 2018, for their benefit. Additionally, the court heard that Picho, along with Lukwiya Santo, the school bursar who has yet to be apprehended, conspired to defraud the bank of Shillings 329 million between February 8th, 2017, and February 2018, from the school’s bank account.
Both Picho and Okema denied the charges against them. Senior State Attorney Raymond Mugisa, leading the prosecution, informed the court that inquiries are ongoing and requested criminal summons to be issued against Lukwiya so he can be charged as well.
In response, Opit issued a criminal summons for Lukwiya and ordered Picho and Okema to be remanded until February 21st, 2024. The accused individuals were arrested by detectives from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, led by Brigadier Henry Isoke.
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