Tororo, Uganda – Naluyima Josephine, a marketing officer at Centenary Bank Tororo, has been arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Tororo on charges of theft and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Naluyima along with Asangai David, the Tororo District Community Development Officer are accused of orchestrating the embezzlement of millions of shillings meant for vulnerable elderly citizens under the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) program across Tororo and Busia districts between September and October 2023.
According to a statement from the Anti-Corruption Unit State House Uganda, the charges stem from a joint operation by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The accused allegedly manipulated beneficiary records and embezzled funds intended to support the livelihoods of senior citizens.
The revelation has sparked national outrage, robbing Uganda’s elderly of the little support they depend on for basic survival.
The SAGE program is Uganda’s social protection strategy designed to help the country’s poorest elderly people from extreme poverty and vulnerability.
Naluyima was remanded until April 16, 2025, joining her co-accused, Asangai David who had earlier been charged in connection with the same scandal.
Investigations are ongoing, with “others still at large”, according to authorities, hinting at a broader network of corruption embedded within the community-based social welfare distribution systems.
The Anti-Corruption Unit has vowed to pursue all suspects involved, echoing its zero tolerance stance against the misuse of public funds.
“We will not allow those entrusted with public resources to betray the vulnerable,” the unit tweeted.
This case adds to a growing list of public sector corruption scandals currently under scrutiny in Uganda, particularly those involving decentralized service delivery and financial access systems such as SAGE, which rely heavily on district officials and banking partners for implementation.
Also Read: “No Such Payments Were Processed,” Clerk Breaks Silence Over Shs100 Million Allegations
