The Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has ordered the arrest, dismissal and interdiction of several Kabale District local government officials over allegations of corruption, nepotism, abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds.
The directives followed Barugahara’s visit to Kabale District as part of his nationwide anti-corruption campaign, during which he raised concerns about the alleged mismanagement of public resources, substandard work on government projects and suspected grabbing of public land.
Kabale District Engineer Januario Bagamuhunda and Kamuganguzi Sub-county District Councilor Peace Rutarimara were arrested during the meeting, which they attended. Several other staff members and heads of departments reportedly failed to attend despite having been invited by the Chief Administrative Officer-CAO.
Bagamuhunda was arrested over allegations of mismanaging funds allocated to several road projects, including Shs34 million for the Kamuganguzi–Kasheregyenyi–Buranga road, Shs40 million for the Mukabaya–Rwebirengye road and funds for the Kekubo–Rutooma–Mukitengye road, which was earmarked for grading, culvert installation and marrum placement.
He was also questioned over Shs129 million allocated to the Mukabaya–Rwemihanga–Biringo road and Shs195 million for the 12.5-kilometre Rwakijuma–Kahondo–Maziba road during the relevant financial years. The minister further accused him of irregularities in the procurement of construction materials, including sand, marrum, cement, culverts and stones, reportedly worth Shs1 billion.
Rutarimara was arrested following a dispute over the implementation of the Ikamiro gravity-flow water scheme, reportedly valued at Shs127 million. She defended the district, maintaining that the project had been constructed, but her account was challenged by individuals who claimed that the scheme had been built by the Diocese of Kigezi.
The disagreement arose in the context of Shs148 million reportedly returned to the Treasury after the district failed to implement the Rukurura gravity-flow water scheme, which had been allocated Shs155 million. Following the dispute, Barugahara directed that Rutarimara be arrested.
The minister also ordered the arrest and dismissal of Jude Tusiime, the assistant engineer in charge of mechanics, over the alleged mismanagement of Shs450 million over three years. The funds were reportedly intended for repairing and maintaining mechanically impaired government vehicles.
Tusiime was further accused of failing to account for an engine and gearbox reportedly missing from a double-cabin vehicle, registration number UAA 108Z, which was parked at the Kabale District yard.
Kabale District Principal Human Resource Officer Jacinta Tushabomwe was also targeted, with Barugahara directing her arrest and interdiction over allegations of causing a loss of approximately Shs3 billion through payments to alleged ghost workers. She was additionally accused of creating ghost pensioners and influencing the promotion of staff who allegedly did not meet the required qualifications.
Tushabomwe also faced allegations of nepotism, including claims that she influenced the recruitment and promotion of relatives, among them her husband, Eric Sunday, the deputy town clerk of Kabale Municipality, as well as her sisters, in-laws and cousins. The allegations suggest that some of the relatives were recruited into various positions and promoted before meeting the required qualifications.
Barugahara further directed the interdiction of Kabale District IT Officer Tobias Habasa over allegations that he influenced the award of a contract to construct Kakomo Seed School to Redstone Holdings Limited, a company reportedly linked to him, despite his position as a public servant.
The school project, estimated at approximately Shs1 billion, comprises a multipurpose hall, a library and ICT hall, a two-classroom block, two staff houses, two VIP latrines, a staff kitchen and other facilities. The alleged involvement of a serving public officer in a company awarded a government contract raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest.
Other officials whom the minister directed to be arrested or interdicted include Chief Finance Officer Amon Akampumuza, Water Engineer Balaam Akanyijuka, Procurement Officer Alex Trurinawe, former Chief Administrative Officer John Asiimwe and District Forestry Officer Ariyo Benjamin, among others.
The directives form part of the government’s ongoing nationwide anti-corruption campaign targeting alleged financial mismanagement, abuse of office and irregularities in the implementation of public projects.
