By Denis Okello (denis.okello@vol.co.ug)
Lira City.
The former parliamentary candidate for Lira City West Division Anthony Ojuka has asked the ministry of lands, housing and urban development to institute investigations into corruption tendencies against the Lira ministry’s zonal office boss Francis Ateng.
In his letter dated 19/1/2022 copied to the Resident City Commissioner of Lira city and inspectorate of government,Ojuka accuses Ateng Francis of extorting money from members of the public who have been seeking land related assistance from his office.
Ojuka also accuses Ateng of conniving with some of the district staff to identify vacant land that they sell for personal gains, contrary code10 of the conduct and ethics for Uganda public service 2005.
He cited plots on Olwol road that Ateng Francis allegedly sold to Bishop Tom Ibrahim Okelloof All Nations church, ElongJani close, Alice Olet road thathe reportedly sold to Lira district CAO Ben OgweteOtimand Freidish rehabilitation center land that Ateng allegedly expanded its boundaries.
Ojuka says the action by Ateng has demoralized some of his staffs who have allegedly been on silent strike for the last one month after he reportedly failed to share the proceeds from the sale of land with them.
Ojuka wants serious action to be taken against Ateng since his deeds could force out investors from Lira after reports emerged that he allegedly solicited money from Mukwano with a promise of offering them land.
He now wants Ateng to be transferred from Lira office since he has already stayed beyond his five years mandatory deployment in a particular duty station as per section (A-I) 3 (b) of the public service standing order 2010.
Francis Ateng when contacted for a comment linked Ojuka’s accusations to ignorance and that he does not know the mode of operation of the zonal office.
Ateng has also vowed to drag him to court for defamation.
