Soroti charity boss jailed over Shs3.1m meant for orphaned pupils

[Archival Sense]

Boniface Evagu, the Managing Director of Teso Talents Foundation, pleaded guilty before Ngora Magistrate Isaac Boniface Abilu on Thursday.

Court heard that Evagu received Shs3.5 million from United Kingdom-based donors through his DFCU Bank account to pay fees for learners at Vienna Nursery and Primary School in Ngora District.

However, he only deposited Shs400,000 at the school and used the remaining funds for personal needs, according to the prosecution.

The matter came to light after the school director contacted the donors and discovered that the money had been sent through Evagu, leading to police intervention.

Prosecution told court that although Evagu had no previous theft record, misusing donor funds could discourage organisations from supporting projects in Uganda, especially those benefiting vulnerable children.

Before sentencing, Evagu asked for leniency, telling court that he is married, has a two-month-old baby and is responsible for caring for his parents.

In his ruling, Magistrate Abilu said Evagu had failed in his responsibility to protect the children whose education depended on the funds.

"We are required to put the future and the interest of the children at heart; whereas you are presumed to be a first offender, the court must send out a deterrent message to others, which message is clear and to the entire community in Ngora,"

The magistrate sentenced him to one year in prison and ordered him to refund the full Shs3.5 million to the UK-based donor within two months. Failure to do so, court warned, would attract further legal action.

Court also heard that Evagu is wanted in Soroti and Kapelebyong districts over allegations of misappropriating about Shs60 million from another UK and US-based donor.