Alebtong, Uganda – The Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Alebtong, Jimmy Okello, has confirmed the arrest of Steven Arok, the treasurer of the Oyutu Abeno Youth Group, over allegations of misappropriating funds meant for a community project.
According to RDC Okello, Arok was apprehended on Wednesday in Alebtong following a complaint lodged by the group’s leadership. The youth group, which operates a tents and chairs hire business under the name “Oyutu Abeno Youth Tents and Chair Hire,” was established with funding from the government during the Financial Year 2014/2015, receiving a total of 5,996,000 Ugandan Shillings.
The group is located in Oyutoabeno Village, Angoltok Parish, Abako Sub County.
Okello stated that upon investigating the matter, authorities discovered that the group’s account should have had a balance of more than 3 million shillings. However, it was alleged that Arok had been utilizing the funds for personal produce buying, failing to account for the money or remit it to the group’s coffers.
“The youths reported to us that their money had been mismanaged. When we went to the ground, we found out that the treasurer had been using the money,” Okello stated.
In an attempt to make good on the loss, Arok reportedly accepted liability and deposited only 200,000 shillings into the group's bank account before going into hiding. RDC Okello confirmed that Arok was spotted on Wednesday in Alebtong, leading to his immediate arrest. He is currently being held at Alebtong Central Police Station (CPS) as investigations continue.
The RDC used this opportunity to issue a stern warning to other groups and individuals who have benefited from government revolving funds. He urged defaulters to pay back the money promptly to avoid facing similar consequences.
“Everyone who has gotten money from the government, which is a revolving fund, and the time for paying back has reached, they should start paying to avoid cancellation of the program,” Okello warned. He emphasized that continued defaulting jeopardizes these development programs and prevents the wider community from benefiting.
