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Acholi king in trouble over Shs230m donor fund
Rwot Achana (L) speaks to officials at a previous meeting recently. PHOTO BY CISSY MAKUMBI.
Gulu- The Acholi Paramount Chief, Rwot David Onen Achana II, could be in trouble after the Netherlands Kingdom asked the cultural leader to refund Shs230 million donated to the institution to help end conflicts in the area.
In a letter, the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda, Alphons Hennekens demanded that the money be refunded or the cultural institution faces legal action.
The money was part of the Shs1.3 billion earmarked by the Demographic Governing Facility for empowering the Acholi Cultural Institution in terms of conflict resolution and peace building.
The Netherlands Kingdom through the Demographic Governing Facility had signed a partnership with Acholi Cultural institution in November 2012, to foster reconciliation through peace meetings and negotiations.
In a letter dated November 28, signed by H. E Alphons Hennekens, and addressed to the Paramount Chief’s office, the kingdom said it had come to their knowledge that there had been fraudulent activities, coupled with lack of accountability and diversion of funds resulting in loss of Shs230m.
“This is therefore to demand for the immediate refund of Shs230 million, furthermore the partnership is forthwith suspended,” the letter reads in part.
The letter also said action be taken against the perpetrators of the fraud. In a meeting on Friday convened by the Acholi Cultural Institution to resolve the impasses, leaders accused the Paramount Chief of shielding corrupt individuals in his administration.
One of the accused is Mr Kenneth Oketa, the institution primer and the Paramount Chief himself, who are both signatories to bank accounts of the Acholi Culture Institution.
However Rwot Achana told Acholi leaders that Mr Oketa had since resigned. “I agree there is a problem, maybe you need to support me to write back to the ambassador for negotiations,”
In April the Council of Chiefs resolved that Mr Oketa leaves office to pave way for an investigation into alleged mismanagement.
However Mr Oketa refused, saying he was left to take care of the office as he waits for the return of Paramount Chief from his studies in London.
Mr Ben Acelam, the accounts specialist, said a forensic audit be availed to probe the committee of Ker Kwaro Acholi.
