Updated by Faith Barbara Namagembe at 1746 EAT on Thursday 2 March 2023.

John Paul Mugabe, the Mechanic Emyooga Sacco chairperson from Buhaguzi constituency in Kikuube district has been arrested for allegedly swindling over Shs 15 million belonging to the Sacco.

He was arrested yesterday Tuesday on the directives of Haruna Kasolo, the state minister for Microfinance. It came after the Sacco members informed the minister that Mugabe together with other members including the secretary Joshua Muhumuza connived and withdrew Shs 21 million from the association’s account in 2021 and shared it amongst themselves. 

It is alleged that Mugabi took Shs 15 million while his two colleagues took the balance, which they have since failed to pay back. It is from this background that Kasolo ordered the immediate arrest and detention of Mugabe who was immediately whisked to Kikuube central police station where he spent the night. 

The minister also ordered the arrest of other members of the association who connived with Mugabe to swindle the money.  Kasolo issued a two-month ultimatum to the defaulters of Emyooga funds in Kikuube district to clear the money or face arrest.