The Kisoro District Education Officer, Emmanuel Mwumvaneza, has been charged with embezzlement, making false claims by an official and abuse of office over alleged financial irregularities in a Shs1.4 billion classroom construction programme.
Mwumvaneza was arraigned following investigations conducted by the Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The investigations concern funds allocated to classroom construction in Kisoro District during the 2024/2025 financial year.
According to the Anti-Corruption Unit, investigators uncovered a suspected scheme in which school construction contracts were allegedly awarded to companies owned by or linked to district officials, while payments were reportedly processed without proper verification of the work completed.
Investigators are also examining allegations that classroom blocks constructed by communities were presented as newly completed government projects, raising concerns about accountability, the quality and extent of work delivered, and possible loss of public funds.
Mwumvaneza faces additional charges relating to the alleged misappropriation of Shs8.25 million advanced for commissioning education projects.
He is also accused of making a false entry indicating that he had attended a project commissioning and instructing officials to pay allowances for commissioning activities that were allegedly not conducted.
The case forms part of ongoing efforts by anti-corruption agencies to investigate suspected misuse of public funds and enforce accountability in government-funded projects.
The charges against Mwumvaneza remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.
