The Anti-Corruption Unit of State House working with Criminal Investigations Directorate have arrested Polly Natuhwera, Director of Zionat Multipurpose Limited, on charges of Embezzlement of government money and fraud.
Mariam Natasha, the unit’s spokesperson said that the suspect’s trouble started from the diversion of over Shs162 million that was advanced to his company to start the construction of learning structures at Mwello Seed School.
Ms Natasha revealed that in December 2023, Shs648,323,714 contract was signed between Tororo District and M/s Zionat Multipurpose International Limited for the construction of Mwello Seed School, with a completion date of May 30, 2024.
“The site was handed over in February, and an advance payment of Shs162,080,929 was paid to the contractor. However, he did not start work until April 19, 2024,” Natasha said.
According to the preliminary report, Tororo District officials, including the District Engineer and CAO, made numerous attempts to get to the contractor without any success and also notified him of their intention to terminate the contract.
“Upon arrest, Natuhwera admitted to diverting part of the Shs162 million to other uses,” Natasha added.
She noted that investigations also revealed that, whereas during the bidding process, the contractor provided profiles of qualified and registered engineers as project manager and site engineer, on the ground he has no qualified and registered engineers doing the work.
Investigation further revealed that the same contractor has an ongoing contract for the construction of Simu Seed School Phase II in Bulambuli district, which is also at foundation level, since the signing of the contract in January 2024 at a cost of Shs89 million.
