Over 110 Local Government Officials Interdicted in Kanungu and Rukungiri Corruption Probe

More than 110 local government officials in Kanungu District, Rukungiri District and Rukungiri Municipality have been interdicted following a sweeping accountability exercise led by the Minister of State for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi.

The officials were among more than 200 local government employees targeted during the minister’s six-day inspection tour of the Kigezi sub-region under the government’s nationwide anti-corruption campaign dubbed “Expose the Corrupt.”

The exercise involved inspecting government projects, examining public expenditure and investigating complaints concerning corruption, abuse of office, financial mismanagement, negligence and poor service delivery.

According to the minister’s directives, 49 officials in Kanungu District and another 64 in Rukungiri District and Rukungiri Municipality were ordered to step aside to allow investigations into the allegations against them.

Barugahara said officials found responsible for wrongdoing would face appropriate disciplinary or legal action.

Kanungu District: 49 Officials Interdicted Over Alleged Misconduct

Kanungu District recorded 49 interdictions, with several senior district officials among those directed to leave their offices pending investigations.

The officials named included 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 included Kihihi Town Council Town Clerk Ahumuza Allen, Rutenga Sub-county Community Development Officer Pamela Kankimusimire, Senior Procurement Officer Elisa Mukuni, Senior Health Educator Simon Nsimamukama and Dr Benon Musasizi of Kanungu Health Centre IV.

Kigubu Sulaiman and an ambulance driver were also included in the directive.

During the inspection, Barugahara raised concerns about the performance of some government employees, particularly in the health sector.

He pointed to poor hygiene and working conditions in health facilities, as well as delays in promoting health workers who had served in government institutions for several years.

The minister said the interdictions would allow authorities to investigate the complaints and address concerns raised by residents about the delivery of public services.

Rukungiri District: 64 Officials Named in Accountability Exercise

Rukungiri District and Rukungiri Municipality recorded a combined 64 officials affected by the minister’s directives.

Among the senior officials caught up in the exercise was Resident District Commissioner Bron Kikanshemeza, who was arrested during the minister’s visit.

Barugahara also ordered the arrest of Nyakishenyi Sub-county LC3 Chairperson Wednesday Twinomujuni over allegations relating to the sale of association vehicles and land, as well as alleged mismanagement of funds.

The Rukungiri District Service Commission, headed by chairperson Canon Yosia Twirire, also came under scrutiny over alleged financial irregularities involving its members and secretary.

The minister further questioned the management of funds belonging to headteachers’ associations and Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs).

Senior District Officials Named

Those listed in the interdiction directive included District Water Engineer Deus Twekwase, Senior Procurement Officer Godwin Murekyezi, District Education Officer Jackson Turyahumura, District Commercial Officer Grace Tayebwa, District Internal Auditor Sarah Aine, District Principal Inspector of Schools Peace Atamba and District Engineer Julius Bagyira.

Other officials named were Civil Engineer Alex Karamuzi, Senior Lands Officer Martin Agaba, Senior Internal Auditor Amon Atuheire, former Chief Administrative Officer Hajji Swalihk Wasswa Masokoyi, Senior Internal Auditor Amon Ahurira and Commercial Officer Michael Kamugabirwe.

The list also featured Kebisoni Town Council Treasurer Flankline Twinomujuni, Eastern Division Town Clerk Evas Kyobutungi, Buyanja Town Council Clerk Nicholas Kahumuza and Chief Finance Officer Jorum Asiimwe.

Two former town council officials currently serving in other areas were also named.

They are former Town Clerk Prosper Tagobya, now serving in Masaka City, and former Town Clerk and Treasurer Loy Biboona, who is currently serving in Ntungamo District.

Accountants, Parish Chiefs and Education Officers Also Affected

The Rukungiri accountability exercise extended to lower local government institutions, with accountants, parish chiefs, education personnel and other technical officers included in the directive.

Among those named were District Forestry Officer Arthur Twinomujuni, Senior Assistant Secretary Prosper Byarugaba, District Population Officer Amos Gumisiriza, Kebisoni Accounts Assistant Noah Mutesasira, Nyakagyeme Sub-county Accounts Assistant Robert Mugabe and Buhunga Health Centre III Accounts Assistant Agnes Atwine.

Others included Buhunga Sub-county Senior Accounts Assistant Wilson Musiimenta, Kebisoni Senior Accounts Assistant Geoffrey Twinomwe, Bugangari Sub-county Accounts Assistant Boaz Musingunzi, District Senior Environmental Officer Caroline Mbabazi, Buyanja Town Council Human Resource Officer Andrew Arinda, Buyanja Town Council Community Development Officer Arthur Muhanguzi and Buyanja Assistant Agricultural Officer Jennifer Kyasimire.

The directive further listed Senior Assistant Treasurer Wilberforce Kansiime, District Salary Accounts Officer Isaac Akasinguzi, District Civil Engineer Emmie Tukashaba and District Internal Auditor Wilber Ahimbisibwe.

Health Workers and Headteachers Included

Several health and education workers were also affected by the interdictions.

They included Buhunga Health Centre III Health Officer Babisha Kasigazi, Kebisoni Integrated Primary School Headteacher Musasizi Herbert, Bucence Primary School Headteacher Julius Barigye and Kyaburere Primary School Headteacher Edward Tukamukunda.

Rukungiri Health Centre IV Clinical Officer Hillary Arinda and Kebisoni Health Centre IV Cold Chain Assistant Henry Twesigye were also named.

Several parish chiefs appeared on the list, including Burombe Parish Chief Derrick Kabakoriyo, Nyakashenyi Parish Chief John Bosco Gumoshabe, Bikongozo Parish Chief Timothy Byoona, Parish Chief Elias Agaba Kazahe, Parish Chief Kenneth Turyagyenda and Ndere Parish Chief Arthur Nimusiima.

Kasoroza Primary School Headteacher Emmanuel Musinguzi was also listed.

Barugahara separately directed authorities to arrest and remove parish chiefs accused of demanding money from beneficiaries of government programmes.

Rukungiri Municipality: Town Clerks, Engineers and Revenue Officers Affected

The minister’s inspection also extended to Rukungiri Municipality, where officials responsible for administration, education, engineering and revenue collection were named.

Those affected included Municipal Education Officer Robert Agume, Municipal Engineer Merynah Kekiijo, Revenue Officer Alex Karugaba and Municipal Inspector of Schools Julius Musiimenta.

Other officials included former Town Clerk Robert Niwamanya, Municipal Town Clerk Isaiah Tumwesigye, Municipal Roads Inspector Devis Ahimbisibwe, Assistant Town Clerk Rachel Natuhurira, Municipal Labour Officer Andrew Mwongyera and Senior Human Resource Officer Cosma Mugamba.

As the inspection progressed, Barugahara directed that Southern Division Town Clerk Clara Aheebwa and Kangunga Seed Secondary School Headteacher Amos Gumisiriza be added to the list.

He also instructed the Chief Administrative Officer to ensure that positions held by officials accused of persistent absenteeism or neglect of duty were advertised to create opportunities for other qualified candidates.

Government Vows Tough Action Against Corruption in Local Governments

Barugahara said the interdictions were part of a wider government effort to strengthen accountability, fight corruption and improve service delivery in local government institutions.

The minister maintained that complaints raised during the Kigezi inspection tour would be investigated and that officials found culpable would face the appropriate administrative or legal consequences.

The nationwide Expose the Corrupt campaign is targeting allegations of public resource theft, nepotism, abuse of office, financial irregularities and failure by government employees to perform their duties.

The interdictions are intended to facilitate investigations into the allegations. However, being interdicted or named in the minister’s directives does not, in itself, establish guilt.