Alebtong, Uganda | The current leadership of Alebtong District has distanced itself from the alleged financial mismanagement that led to the remand of District Health Officer (DHO), Dr. Odung Tonny, insisting the transactions in question were executed before they assumed office.
Dr. Odung was on Tuesday arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala and remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations of irregularly processing UGX 165,520,800 during the 2019/2020 financial year.
The prosecution, following investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, alleges that Dr. Odung, together with former Chief Administrative Officer Ben Ogwette Otim and Chief Finance Officer Stephen Adieyo, approved advance payment to Otada Construction Ltd without securing an advance payment guarantee.
The funds were meant for upgrading Angetta Health Centre II and Awei Health Centre II to Health Centre III status. It is alleged that after receiving the money, the contractor abandoned the site, leaving the works incomplete and causing financial loss to government.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Alebtong District Local Government clarified that the contested transactions occurred under the 2019/2020 administration before the current leadership assumed office in 2021.
In the statement issued by District LCV Odongo David Kennedy (DK), the district leadership explained that the matters before court relate to decisions and payments processed during the 2019/2020 financial year and that the current district leadership was not in office at the time the original contract was awarded and advance funds released.
The district further stated that upon assuming office, the District Executive Committee reviewed the stalled projects and resolved to procure a new contractor to complete the works using the remaining balance on the project account.
According to the leadership, Wangi Co. Ltd was subsequently awarded the contract after due process was followed, and the construction of both Awei and Angetta Health Centres was completed using the remaining funds and materials that had been abandoned on site.
The district maintained that its actions were aimed at safeguarding public funds and ensuring that the intended health facilities were delivered to the people of Alebtong.
While affirming respect for the judicial process, the leadership cautioned against what it described as politically motivated attempts to link the current administration to past financial decisions.
It also called for comprehensive accountability, arguing that private contractors who receive public funds and fail to deliver services should equally be held responsible.
Dr. Odung has been remanded until March 5, 2026, when he is expected to return to court for a bail hearing. The former CAO and CFO are expected to appear before court for plea taking once apprehended.
