The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has formally charged Jennifer Etit Okaka, the Human Resource Manager at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), with corruption, abuse of office, and causing financial loss to the government.
Prosecutors allege that between June and November 2023, Okaka neglected to update the payroll system to remove an employee who had resigned. This oversight reportedly resulted in financial losses of UGX 14 million.
Additional details indicate that the omitted staff member, Irene Atukunda Kagume, continued to receive monthly salary and terminal benefits amounting to approximately UGX 146.5 million — despite having absconded from her duties.
Also implicated is UCAA’s legal services manager, Joel Joseph Okwalinga, who is accused of improperly accepting Ms. Atukunda’s resignation without conducting a required disciplinary hearing — an act considered an abuse of office.
During her initial court appearance earlier today, Okaka pleaded not guilty. She has been remanded to Luzira Prison, with her bail application scheduled for August 14, 2025.
This case forms part of a growing crackdown on payroll mismanagement and corruption within public institutions. It follows recommendations from the Auditor General’s 2023 report, which highlighted pervasive irregularities in payroll systems across government agencies.
Moreover, this investigation coincides with broader reforms at UCAA, including a December 2023 directive from President Museveni calling for the dismissal of 152 unqualified staff implicated in hiring irregularities.
Looking ahead, stakeholders and the public will be closely watching this case as a litmus test for accountability in Uganda’s public sector management. The outcome may signal the government’s resolve in tackling financial misappropriation and reinforcing internal control mechanisms.
