South Sudan students in Uganda move to quell financial crisis

October 5, 2012 (KAMPALA) – Representatives for South Sudanese students’ union in Uganda (SSSU) formed a committee of inquiry on Friday in respond to alleged financial scandals.

The secretary of finance for the SSSU was arrested on Tuesday by top executive for allegedly withdrawing over $50,000 using forged signatures, allegations he denied while appearing in the students’ representative meeting on Friday in Kampala.

Bill Dhieu, the accused finance secretary, claims that he never took the money “alone” but admits discrepancies in the financial management.

“I know I may be guilty but I was not alone,” Dhieu told the nervous meeting.

“How many are you?” one representative asked. “Three of us will be held responsible,” Dhieu said explaining the three as signatories to the Union account who are the President, Secretary General and himself.

But SSSU leader, James Mayar, told the Sudan Tribune that the money was withdrawn while he was on vocation in Juba between July 4 to July 11, 2012 but pledges to cooperate with representatives’ committee of inquiry.

“There are over 44,000 South Sudanese who are members of the union in Uganda and this financial mismanagement by one person should not victimized the rest,” Mayar said when ask the likely implications of this financial swindle on the future funding of the Union.

“Investigation is under way and the truth will be established,” he added.

The students get their support from government officials in south Sudan as donation and the alleged misappropriation of fund could be embarrassing.

The representatives committee of inquiry will look into the financial statement of the Union accounts and report back to the house after a week’s time. The meeting, chaired by Speaker Deborah Apat, culminated to formation of seven member committee in line with the Union laws.

(ST)