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By Chris Kiwawulo
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ordered the immediate suspension of the National Forestry Authority (NFA) boss over the sh900m he kept at his house.
According to State House sources, Museveni directed the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to investigate Damian Akankwasa, whom he described as a civil servant, for possessing such a colossal sum of money in cash.
The New Vision broke the story of the detention of the NFA boss’ wife, Juliet Katusiime, for allegedly stealing the money from the house.
In a related development, the boss of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), where Katusiime had been detained beyond the mandatory 48 hours, has been transferred. Emmanuel Muhirwe was withdrawn over incompetence in the way he handled the case.
Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba confirmed the transfer. “He has been transferred together with other officers, but the details are not yet available because the message is still being passed on.”
What started as a domestic issue, a man accusing his wife of stealing his money, became a source of interest for the security agencies because of the amount of money involved.
And since Akankwasa is a high-ranking Government official, the President, who has just announced a crusade against corrupt civil servants, has also developed an interest in the case.
In a statement yesterday, Akankwasa, through his lawyer said, the money belonged to his brothers, George Akankwasa and John Bagambe and their business associates.
“Our client’s brothers decided to purchase a piece of land in Kampala and approached our client, who offered to help them get a piece of land,” said the statement, signed by Peter Walubiri.
On the agreed day, the seller had to make an urgent business trip. “As the land seller was being awaited, the money got stolen on August 27, 2008 and our client’s wife disappeared from that time.”
After a month of trying to recover the money amicably, the statement added, the owners lost patience and reported the matter to the Police.
Asked about possible investigations by the IGG, Akankwasa told Sunday Vision that he was not worried. “I have declared all the property I have with the IGG. The money belonged to my brothers and they can explain its source.”
Katusiime was arrested almost two weeks ago after her brother-in-law lodged a complaint at Kira Road Police Station that the sh900m was missing from the couple’s house.
After being held at Central Police Station, she was relocated to the RRU headquarters in Kireka where she spent about 10 days. She was released on Police bond on Friday evening after the High Court ordered Police chief Kale Kayihura to produce her in court on Tuesday.
The Police earlier this week searched a micro-finance institution, Money for Your Business Development Microfinance, where Katusiime claimed she had deposited part of the money.
The RRU only found sh114m on the account, which was in another person’s name. The rest of the money is still missing.
Military Intelligence on Thursday also arrested Katusiime’s brother, Maj. Godfrey Kyomuhendo, a senior army intelligence officer, in connection with the theft.
Published on: Saturday, 17th October, 2009
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