The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has ordered the interdiction of 29 Kisoro District and Municipality officials over allegations of corruption, nepotism, abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds.
The officials, comprising 25 district staff and four municipal officials, are expected to step aside to pave the way for impartial investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other relevant agencies.
The directives followed Barugahara’s visit to Kisoro District as part of his nationwide anti-corruption campaign, during which he raised concerns about alleged mismanagement of public resources, substandard government projects and irregularities in staff recruitment.
Addressing local leaders and residents during a rally at Shaza Playground, Barugahara said the interdictions were intended to promote accountability in public service and allow investigators to examine allegations of financial impropriety without interference.
Among the officials listed for interdiction are Chief Administrative Officer John Nyakahuma, District Engineer James Karamire, District Production Officer Richard Habomugish, Principal Internal Auditor Gabriel Nkuriye Sebusogi, District Education Officer Emmanuel Mwumvaneza and District Inspector of Schools Emmanuel Mbonyebyombi.
Others are District Agricultural Officer Harriet Mutuuzo, Principal Human Resource Officer Beatrice Komugisha and District Communications Officer Imelda Mukeshimana, among others.
Barugahara also ordered the interdiction and immediate arrest of Kisoro District Parish Development Model (PDM) focal person Herbert Ngabo Bubasha over alleged failure to account for funds disbursed to beneficiaries under the programme.
He further ordered the arrest of former Kisoro Municipality Northern Division Mayor Michael Bazamanza and former Central Division chairperson Ramathan Ndikuyeze over allegations of embezzling Emyooga SACCO funds.
John Mfitumukiza, the Kisoro District councillor representing Nyarusiza Sub-county, was arrested over allegations of selling government jobs, while Kisoro Municipality Town Clerk Richard Mugisha was ordered to vacate his office over allegations relating to government land.
Barugahara orders arrest of service commission leaders
The minister also ordered the arrest of the chairperson and secretary of the Kisoro District Service Commission and the disbandment of the entire commission over alleged corruption.
The directive followed concerns raised by Kisoro NRM chairman Philemon Mateke, who told Barugahara that commission members had allegedly extorted money from residents seeking government jobs.
Mateke said residents could not secure employment without paying bribes to members of the commission and asked the minister to intervene and rescue the district from the alleged exploitation.
CUE IN MATEKE… ON SERVICE COMMISSION MEMBERS… RR//
In response, Barugahara directed that a new commission be constituted, comprising people of integrity and proven competence.
He asked Kisoro District LC5 chairperson Richard Ndyana to nominate an interim service commission to ensure that the recruitment process continues and funds allocated for recruitment are not returned unused.
CUE IN MINISTER BALAAM… ON COMMISSION MEMBERS… RR/ENG/
Barugahara also directed the Resident District Commissioner, district chairperson and mayor to work with the district council to identify an interim team of competent and credible technical officers to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
He said investigations should not paralyse government programmes and projects, adding that deputies and other qualified technical personnel should be considered to fill vacant positions as the investigations proceed.
The minister called for the recruitment of staff to fill vacant positions, saying an interim District Service Commission would be necessary to facilitate appointments.
He also said the government would pursue fresh investigations into allegations involving elected leaders and other officials accused of receiving bribes, selling jobs and land, and misappropriating public funds.
Barugahara warned that officials implicated in corruption would not be transferred to other districts to evade accountability.
“We are not going to rotate thieves from here and then you hire someone there,” he said, adding that officials facing allegations should be held accountable through the appropriate procedures.
He further raised concerns about alleged irregularities in staff recruitment, accusing some officials of signing appointment letters for people who had not undergone interviews and favouring relatives and associates in the allocation of jobs.
The minister also questioned the alleged exploitation of PDM beneficiaries, citing claims that some officials demand Shs300,000 from poor applicants seeking to access the Shs1 million disbursed under the programme.
He said the government’s objective was not merely to remove officials from office but to improve local government administration, strengthen accountability and ensure that public resources translate into better roads and other essential services.
Barugahara urged district leaders to identify credible and experienced retired public servants, religious leaders and other qualified individuals who could temporarily support the administration while investigations and recruitment processes continue.
He said the measures were intended to restore public confidence in Kisoro District and ensure that government programmes benefit the intended communities.
