The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has ordered the closure of the Kabale District Local Government registry and the deployment of security personnel following reports that officials under investigation over alleged misuse of public funds were planning to set the facility ablaze to destroy evidence.
Speaking to journalists at Kabale Central Market on Monday, Minister Barugahara said the officials had allegedly held a meeting at Kabalega Resort Hotel in Hoima District, where they discussed plans to burn the district registry and the office of the District Education Officer to destroy files containing evidence of alleged financial irregularities.
The minister said the suspected plot was aimed at frustrating ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and the mismanagement of public funds in the district.
The development comes days after Barugahara submitted a list of 36 Kabale District Local Government officials to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation over allegations of corruption, nepotism, abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds.
Among those named are former Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) John Asiimwe, Chief Finance Officer Amon Akampumuza, District Education Officer Moses Tumwijukye Bwengye, Natural Resources Officer Henry Tumwesigye and Principal Human Resource Officer Tushabomwe Jacenta.
Others include Senior ICT Officer Tobias Habaasa, District Engineer Januario Bagamuhunda, Senior Human Resource Officer Bright Akampurira, Procurement Officer Alex Turinawe, Assistant Water Engineer Barham Akanyijuka and District Biostatistician Benon Kwitonda.
The list also includes Senior Assistant Mechanical Engineer Jude Tusiime, Senior Assistant Secretary and Clerk to Council Loyce Asiimwe, Conservation Officer Grace Aheise, District Accountant Adison Fat Biryomumeisho, former Buranga Primary School teacher Phionah Orishaba and Inspector of Schools Drake Kisheija.
Other officials named are Parish Chief and Works Department office attendant Gergina Karungi, Assistant Secretary Edith Tukamushaba, Senior Assistant Secretary at Katuna Town Council Enos Akandinda, Acting Senior Accountant Collins Ainembabazi and Internal Auditor Denis Maviri.
Also on the list are District Senior Forestry Officer Benjamin Ariyo, Principal Town Agent at Katuna Barbara Atuheire, Acting Assistant Town Clerk Kevin Ainebyoona, Forestry Officer Boaz Niwarimpa, Inspector of Schools Turinawe C., Senior Assistant at Kibuga Town Council Milton Rwamastone and Principal Inspector of Schools Wilberforce Nabaasa.
The remaining officials are Staff Surveyor Prosper Ahimbisibwe, Environmental Officer Allan Akampurira, District Production Officer Beda Mwebesa, Principal Agricultural Officer Deus Baguma, District Agricultural Engineer Paulino Ndyabanoha, Senior Engineer Levi Turyahikayo and Rubaya Sub-county Chief Ivan Mugayehwenki.
Minister Barugahara said he had obtained minutes of the alleged meeting, claiming that members of his undercover team had attended the gathering.
He further alleged that the group was planning to poison cows belonging to Kabale District LC5 Chairperson Denis Ndyomugyenyi Nzeirwe at his farm in Kamuganguzi Sub-county, Ndorwa West County, within the week.
According to the minister, the alleged plot also involved poisoning people suspected of leaking information about the corruption investigations, including Ndyomugyenyi.
However, Minister Barugahara dismissed allegations against the district chairperson, saying he had never met him outside official engagements, including a district accountability and anti-corruption meeting.
He defended Ndyomugyenyi, arguing that intelligence information was important in exposing wrongdoing and maintaining accountability.
CUE IN MINISTER BALAAM… ON THE MATTER… RR/ENG//
The District Chief Administrative Officer, Robert Mugabe, confirmed the closure of the registry, saying the minister had instructed staff to vacate the office and directed him to purchase a new padlock to keep it locked.
Mugabe said both the registry and the education department had been placed under tight security pending the conclusion of investigations.
CUE IN MUGABE…. ON THE MATTER…. ENG//
The District LC5 Chairman, Denis Ndyomugyenyi Nzeirwe, said the action could implicate officials already facing investigations. He, however, said the district was prepared to resist any attempts by individuals or groups to destabilize its operations.
CUE IN NZEIRWE…ON THE MATTER…RR/ENG//
