Latest news with #Okello
Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Telegraph
Rogue civil servant claimed more than £40,000 in fake expenses
A civil servant at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could face jail after raking in more than £41,000 in unauthorised expenses, a court heard. Maurice Okello, 39, also admitted handing his employers a forged sick note to pocket more than £4,000 and travel abroad while signed off work. The international policy adviser flew to places including Tampa, in Florida, Mexico City, Boston, the Greek island of Kos and Morocco under the guise of work travel. He also visited Brussels several times as well as the Swedish city of Gothenburg between December 2022 and September 2023. Okello admitted two charges of fraud at Southwark Crown Court. The first charge of fraud by false representation stated he 'provided a forged statement of fitness to work to your employer claiming you were unfit for work, intending to make a gain, namely being paid your salary of £4,138.96 whilst on sick leave and travelling abroad during the sick leave period'. Okello replied 'Guilty, yeah' when asked for his plea. The second count of fraud by abuse of position stated he 'committed fraud in that, while occupying a position, namely policy adviser at the DWP in which you were expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of DWP, you dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely £41,476.91 in unauthorised expenses'. Okello admitted this charge too. Warning him he could face a custodial sentence, Judge Christopher Hehir said: 'You have pleaded guilty to two serious offences. 'I am not going to sentence you today because the court needs a pre-sentence report to find out more about you and your circumstances, and the circumstances of these offences. 'You must understand the fact I've ordered a pre-sentence report and the fact I'm readmitting you to unconditional bail is no sort of promise, indication or guarantee of the sentence. 'All sentence options, including immediate custody will be open to the sentencing judge because these are serious matters involving a substantial breach of trust.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Rogue civil servant claimed more than £40,000 in fake expenses
A civil servant at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could face jail after raking in more than £41,000 in unauthorised expenses, a court heard. Maurice Okello, 39, also admitted handing his employers a forged sick note to pocket more than £4,000 and travel abroad while signed off work. The international policy adviser flew to places including Tampa, in Florida, Mexico City, Boston, the Greek island of Kos and Morocco under the guise of work travel. He also visited Brussels several times as well as the Swedish city of Gothenburg between December 2022 and September 2023. Okello admitted two charges of fraud at Southwark Crown Court. The first charge of fraud by false representation stated he 'provided a forged statement of fitness to work to your employer claiming you were unfit for work, intending to make a gain, namely being paid your salary of £4,138.96 whilst on sick leave and travelling abroad during the sick leave period'. Okello replied 'Guilty, yeah' when asked for his plea. The second count of fraud by abuse of position stated he 'committed fraud in that, while occupying a position, namely policy adviser at the DWP in which you were expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of DWP, you dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely £41,476.91 in unauthorised expenses'. Okello admitted this charge too. Warning him he could face a custodial sentence, Judge Christopher Hehir said: 'You have pleaded guilty to two serious offences. 'I am not going to sentence you today because the court needs a pre-sentence report to find out more about you and your circumstances, and the circumstances of these offences. 'You must understand the fact I've ordered a pre-sentence report and the fact I'm readmitting you to unconditional bail is no sort of promise, indication or guarantee of the sentence. 'All sentence options, including immediate custody will be open to the sentencing judge because these are serious matters involving a substantial breach of trust.' Okello, of Harrow Weald, north-west London, will be sentenced on June 13. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Zawya
10-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Political consultations between the Republic of Uganda and the Embassy of Egypt in Uganda
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda on the 6th February 2025 hosted a delegation from the Embassy of Egypt in Uganda for a of bilateral political consultation, aimed at further strengthening the long-standing relationship between Uganda and Egypt. The Egyptian delegation, led by Ambassador Monzer Selim, was welcomed by the Ugandan delegation, headed by Hon. Oryem Henry Okello, the Minister of state for International Affairs. With an aim of discussing issues of development and bilateral cooperation, the meeting streamlined discussions on the existing cooperation between Uganda and Egypt and explored avenues to expand their collaboration in areas of trade, investment, water health, infrastructure, and political cooperation. Ambassador Selim, in his remarks, shared the historical ties between Egypt and Uganda, emphasizing how the relationship has evolved over decades and backed by mutual respect and shared interests. He pointed out that the cooperation between the two countries has played a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of Uganda, with Egypt providing valuable support in sectors that are crucial to Uganda's growth. Specifically, the Ambassador highlighted Egypt's significant contributions to energy, food security, and water management. He emphasized that these areas have had a lasting impact on Uganda's communities, creating opportunities for sustainable development. One of the most notable areas of collaboration between the two countries has been Egypt's support for infrastructure development in Uganda. Ambassador Selim took pride in sharing about the just concluded groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Akii-Bua Stadium, a project that exemplifies Egypt's commitment to enhancing Uganda's sporting infrastructure. This collaboration builds on Egypt's previous contributions to various developmental initiatives in Uganda, including the construction of water facilities, weed removal project on L. Albert and Victoria, energy projects, and agricultural developments. Ambassador Selim expressed his confidence that these projects will have a profound and enduring impact on Uganda's development, particularly in terms of job creation and economic development. Hon. Okello, in turn, expressed Uganda's sincere appreciation for the continuous support and partnership that Egypt has provided over the years. He highlighted the strategic importance of this collaboration in advancing Uganda's development agenda, particularly in the areas of energy, water, and food security, all of which are critical to the realization of Uganda's long-term development. Hon. Okello also emphasized the need for continued engagement between the two countries to explore new opportunities in trade, investment, and other key sectors. He noted that Egypt's experience in sectors such as agriculture and WASH development presents a valuable opportunity for Uganda to learn and grow through technical cooperation. The consultations also focused on deepening trade and investment relations between Uganda and Egypt. Both sides acknowledged the untapped potential in expanding bilateral trade, with a focus on sectors such as agriculture, man facturing, infrastructure, and water development projects. Hon. Okello proposed that both governments explore new avenues to foster increased trade between the two countries, as well as implement policies to create a more conducive environment for investment. Both delegations agreed that a more integrated approach to economic cooperation could contribute significantly to the sustainable economic growth of both nations, and by extension, the entire region. An important aspect of the discussions was the exploration of opportunities for enhanced people-to-people interactions. Ambassador Selim proposed that both countries work together to implement programs that facilitate capacity building exchanges, technical training, and the sharing of knowledge in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, water and energy security. Minister Okello also emphasized the value of such programs, noting that they could foster stronger ties between the people of Uganda and Egypt while also building a foundation for future cooperation in diverse sectors. Both delegations also discussed the broader regional context of how Uganda and Egypt can work together to address shared challenges facing Africa. These include issues such as regional security, and the promotion of peace and stability across the continent. The discussions highlighted the importance of a unified African approach to solving these challenges, with Uganda and Egypt reaffirming their commitment to working together within regional and continental frameworks. The bilateral political consultations between Uganda and Egypt have laid a solid foundation for continued collaboration in key areas of mutual interest. The discussions revealed a shared commitment to deepening bilateral ties and creating tangible opportunities for growth and development. Both nations have acknowledged the strategic importance of enhancing cooperation in sectors such as trade, food, water, energy and regional security. The partnership between Uganda and Egypt is a model for African cooperation, demonstrating how two nations, with a history of collaboration, can come together to tackle common challenges and harness their collective strengths. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Zawya
06-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
New World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Presents Letters of Credence to Honourable Oryem Henry Okello
On February 4, 2025, the newly appointed Uganda Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Kasonde G. Mulenga Mwinga formally presented her Letters of Credence from the UN Secretary-General to the Hon. Oryem Henry Okello, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Charge of International Affairs, marking the official commencement of her tenure in Uganda. During the ceremony, Dr. Mwinga expressed her dedication to enhancing bilateral relations and fostering cooperation, particularly within the health sector. Minister Okello Oryem warmly welcomed the new representative, emphasizing Uganda's ongoing commitment to strengthening multilateral partnerships. 'This occasion underscores the mutual resolve between Uganda and the international community in addressing global challenges, with a specific focus on public health', said Okello. The two discussed Uganda's holistic approach to managing and mitigating disease outbreaks, a priority concern for the nation. Hon. Okello elaborated on Uganda's efforts to fortify her health sector, hinting at possible increase in the national health budget. 'An increase would signal the government's intent to improve health infrastructure, enhance disease outbreak response capabilities, and overall healthcare services, thereby strengthening the country's ability to address emerging health threats and enhance public health preparedness,' he added. Dr. Mwinga praised Uganda's proactive and transparent strategies in managing infectious diseases, including Ebola and COVID-19, recognizing the country's resilient health system. She commended Uganda's commitment to combating HIV through comprehensive, multifaceted initiatives, as well as the country's immunization efforts. In response, Hon. Okello highlighted President Museveni's military-style response, emphasizing swift emergency actions, community engagement, and collaboration with international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO). He also referred to the President's successful approach in reducing HIV prevalence from 30-40% to 6%, within a short period. Additionally, Hon. Okello recollected the viral video of President Museveni exercising during the Covid19 Pandemic, which sparked a nationwide health movement, encouraging individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles through increased physical activity. Through sustained international partnerships and ongoing efforts to enhance health system infrastructure, Uganda remains resolute in its commitment to addressing disease outbreaks, bolstering resilience, and contributing to global health security and continues to be a central figure in combating health crises and fostering international collaboration for the containment and control of infectious diseases. As Dr. Kasonde Mwinga commences her diplomatic tenure in Uganda, the formal presentation of credentials signifies the initiation of a new phase in the cooperation between the World Health Organization (WHO) and Uganda. This highlights the acknowledgement of the significance of diplomatic relations not only in fostering trade and cultural exchanges but also in advancing mutual objectives in the realm of public health. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
