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Akasa Jimmy Mokili, Okengo Jaspher and St Amoni Benz aka Okengo Bony in handcuffs
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Otuke – Three individuals, including a local politician, a senior local government leader, and a UPDF soldier, have been charged in connection with the theft of over UGX 1.5 billion meant for cattle compensation in Otuke District. The suspects — Akasa Jimmy Mokili, a politician and businessman from Agago District; Okengo Jaspher, the LCIII Chairperson of Ogor Sub-county; and Sgt. Amoni Benz, also known as Okengo Bonny, a Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier — were arraigned before the Otuke Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday afternoon.
The suspects: Akasa Jimmy Mokili, Okengo Jaspher and St Amoni Benz aka Okengo Bony
They are facing charges of theft and conspiracy to defraud beneficiaries under the government’s cattle compensation programme in Northern Uganda. The victims, mainly elderly residents of Otuke, lost livestock during the LRA insurgency and Karamoja cattle raids.
According to a joint investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the trio, together with others still at large, exploited the registration and bank account opening process to obtain the beneficiaries’ personal and financial details.
The trio in court
Authorities allege that the suspects manipulated these accounts to withdraw compensation funds, in many cases without the victims’ knowledge. In some instances, victims received only a fraction of the money, with the rest siphoned off by the culprits. So far, the reported loss in Otuke District alone exceeds UGX 1.5 billion, and similar fraudulent schemes are reportedly under investigation in other districts across the Lango, Acholi, and Teso sub-regions.
The accused have been remanded until August 19, 2025, as investigations continue. Officials have reiterated their commitment to prosecuting all individuals involved in defrauding government programs intended to support vulnerable communities.
Torch Media Africa
