Soroti engineer charged over Shs 24.4m fraud

Soroti district engineer Denis Ocung has been charged with abuse of office and conspiracy to defraud the district of Shs 24.4 million.

Ocung on Tuesday was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption court presided over by chief magistrate Joan Aciro. The money was part of Shs 394 million meant for the construction of piped water in Adamasiko, Ojor parish, Kalie sub-county, Soroti district. 

According to documents before court, Ocung is jointly charged with the director of Time Traders Transporters Limited Ismail Odeke who is still at large and criminal summons have been issued for him.

The prosecution contends that on June 17, 2021, while at Soroti District Local Government offices being employed as acting district engineer in abuse of his office, Ocung did recommend for payment of Shs 24.4 million to Time Traders Transporters Limited for no work done.

Ocung denied the charges against him and the prosecution led by Gertrude Apio informed the court that investigations are incomplete. He later applied for bail and presented sureties that the court found to be substantial. The court granted him bail of Shs 4 million cash and sureties Shs 100 million not cash.     

The case has been adjourned to August 1 for mention. Ocung was arrested on Monday from Soroti and driven to court immediately by the State House Anti-corruption unit working with police.