The Mbale Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, October 23, 2025, sentenced two senior officials from Manafwa District to two years in prison and ordered them to refund Shs1.6 billion they fraudulently obtained from Duckhill Microfinance in Mbale City.
The case, Duckhill Microfinance Vs. Manafwa Principal Human Resource Officer (PHRO) Betty Namono and Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Michael Bichacha, had dragged on for two years over allegations of corruption and fraud.
Court heard that the two officials used forged documents, including contracts and land titles, to secure loans from the microfinance institution. They reportedly used government funds to service part of the loans, which were later recalled, leaving the debts unpaid.
According to the prosecution, the accused abused their offices to access credit far beyond their repayment capacity, hoping to use government money to clear the loans.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Her Worship Susan Awidi found Namono and Bichacha guilty of fraud and abuse of office.
Namono was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to refund Shs1.6 billion to Duckhill Microfinance, while Bichacha was handed a two-year sentence and fined Shs26 million.
The court noted that Bichacha was not directly involved in the fraudulent process but was still culpable.
Her Worship Awidi advised the convicts of their right to appeal the judgment within 14 days at the High Court if dissatisfied with the ruling.
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