The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured a major anti-corruption victory after the Anti-Corruption Court convicted Pallisa County Member of Parliament and three others over financial loss, theft, and conspiracy to defraud.
MP Otukol Samuel, who also serves as a director in Samix Uganda Ltd and Zedkol Financial Services, was convicted alongside Odap Francis, the former Chief Administrative Officer of Namisindwa District, Wamburu Willy, the Acting Chief Financial Officer and Osire Ezekiel, a director of Zedkol Financial Services.
Court heard that between June and November 2019, Odap and Wamburu irregularly processed payments disguised as staff loan deductions, channeling funds to companies that had not provided any services to the district.
The transactions included UGX 82.5 million sent to United for Development SACCO, UGX 202.4 million to Samix Uganda Ltd, and UGX 210.4 million to Zedkol Financial Services.
These actions violated established Ministry of Public Service guidelines, which require that all staff loan deductions be remitted through a unified system managed by the Uganda Consumer Lenders Association (UCLA).
Investigations further revealed that the recipient companies were neither licensed by the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) nor registered members of UCLA, and had not extended any loans to district staff. Upon receiving the funds, Hon. Otukol and Osire allegedly withdrew and used the money for personal benefit.
The court found Odap and Wamburu guilty on three counts of causing financial loss and two counts of conspiracy to defraud. Hon. Otukol was convicted on two counts of theft and two counts of conspiracy to defraud, while Osire was found guilty on one count of theft and one count of conspiracy to defraud.
The case was prosecuted by Senior State Attorney Emily Mutuzo Sendaula before Her Worship Asiimwe Ester.
Sentencing for all four convicts is scheduled for April 1, 2026.
