The Minister for Local Government, Dr Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has ordered the interdiction of 49 officials in Kanungu District over alleged corruption, abuse of office and poor service delivery.
The directive was issued during the “Expose the Corrupt Baraza” held at Kihihi Polytechnic Playground in Kihihi Town Council on Tuesday following the minister’s inspection of public service delivery facilities in the district.
The officials include Deputy Resident District Commissioner Gad Ahimbisibwe Rugaju, Chief Administrative Officer Awuye Abdallah, District Education Officer Shaban Adam, former District Engineer Eric Mutumba, District Production Officer Godwin Nkwasibwe and Inspector of Schools Erasmus Tuyishime.
Others are Kihihi Town Council Town Clerk Ahumuza Allen, Rutenga Sub-county Community Development Officer Kankimusimire Pamela, Senior Procurement Officer Mukuni Elisa, Senior Health Educator Nsimamukama Simon, Dr Benon Musasizi of Kanungu Health Centre IV, Kigubu Sulaiman and an ambulance driver, among others.
The list of the affected officials was read by an official from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Barugahara said the officials had allegedly failed to execute their duties, contributing to poor service delivery, unhygienic conditions in health facilities and delays in the promotion of health workers who had served for several years.
He said the interdicted officials would face investigations and disciplinary action as the government moves to address persistent complaints about corruption, nepotism, misuse of public funds and poor service delivery in the district.
The minister warned that the government would not tolerate corruption and that officials found culpable would be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The baraza was preceded by inspections of public facilities, during which the minister raised concerns over service delivery failures.
At Kambuga Hospital, Barugahara faulted the District Service Commission for allegedly failing to promote doctors who had served for 26 years.
At Kanungu Health Centre IV in Katate, he expressed concern over poor hygiene and sanitation, particularly in latrines used by patients and staff. He directed the facility’s in-charge to address the shortcomings immediately to prevent the situation from worsening.
In Kihembe Sub-county, the minister inspected Kankonko Bridge, which was reportedly washed away just two weeks after its commissioning.
He ordered the immediate arrest of the engineer in charge over alleged shoddy work, calling for accountability over the failure of the infrastructure.
