Three Mitooma District officials have been remanded to September 16 after being arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court over alleged abuse of office, neglect of duty and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The accused are Eng. Geofrey Tumusiime, the district water officer and project supervisor; Peace Gloria Barungi, the district education officer and project manager; and Frank Kwijuka, the clinical officer and in-charge of Bitereko Health Centre IV.
The trio was charged following investigations conducted by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In the first case, prosecutors allege that between January and July 2026, Mr Tumusiime and Ms Barungi, together with other suspects still at large, abused their offices in the implementation of a renovation project for a three-classroom block at Rutaka Primary School.
Investigators allege that the two officials approved Interim Payment Certificate No. 1 and Payment Certificate No. 2, indicating that the works were 68 per cent and 100 per cent complete, respectively, despite the actual works on the ground allegedly falling short of the certified levels.
The officials are further accused of authorising payment of Shs40.95 million to Ruhinda Technical Services Limited for the renovation works before the project was completed.
The prosecution alleges that the actions caused financial loss to Mitooma District Local Government.
In a separate case, Kwijuka is accused of neglecting his official duties while serving as the in-charge of Bitereko Health Centre IV between July 2025 and March 2026.
Investigators allege that he abused his office by approving and authorising payments to himself without independent approval and adequate supporting documentation, contrary to established financial procedures.
The three officials were remanded until September 16 when they are expected to return to court.
The arraignment is part of the ongoing Expose the Corrupt campaign, aimed at holding public officials accountable for the management of public resources and delivery of public services.
