The officials face allegations ranging from extortion in health facilities and the sale of jobs to misuse of government funds, irregular promotions and failure to account for public resources.
Buliisa District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Prof. Dr. Levi Musinguzi Bahemuka and 12 other government officials have been arrested and interdicted over allegations of corruption, abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds following a corruption expose rally at the district headquarters on Thursday.
The arrests and interdictions were ordered by the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, following complaints raised by Buliisa District LCV Chairperson Atuhaire Wandera Twari over alleged irregularities that have reportedly undermined service delivery.
The 13 officials targeted include Musinguzi, District Education Officer Tyson Kiiza Kasangaki, Acting District Health Officer Titus Sabiiti Nixon and District Water Engineer Maurice Wekame.
Others are Senior Procurement Officer Ronald Asiimwe, District Natural Resources Officer Bernard Tugume, District Service Commission secretary Joselyne, commission chairperson Peter Kyaligonza, commission member Robert Businge and Chief Finance Officer Moses Wandera.
The list also includes Garasoya Parish Chief Ivan Muhumuza, the head teacher of Wanseko Town Primary School and a former head teacher of Kisiabi Primary School.
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The officials face allegations ranging from extortion in health facilities and the sale of jobs to misuse of government funds, irregular promotions and failure to account for public resources.
Wandera accused district officials of failing to properly implement and account for government programmes, saying the alleged irregularities had affected the delivery of essential services.
School Project, Water Funds Under Scrutiny
Musinguzi was arrested over allegations that he authorised the release of funds to CMD Investments Limited despite delays in completing Kihungya Seed Secondary School.
The government awarded the company a contract to construct the school in 2021, but the project remains incomplete.
Kasangaki, the district education officer, was accused of allegedly conniving with the CAO and failing to report the matter to the Inspectorate of Government or the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Wekame was arrested over allegations of misappropriating more than sh114m meant for extending piped water in Butiaba Town Council.
Sabiiti was accused of failing to adequately monitor government health programmes and account for public funds. Balaam ordered his detention to assist the State House Anti-Corruption Unit with investigations.
The complaints against the district officials also include the alleged irregular promotion of 22 nursing officers without corresponding salary enhancements, extortion in health facilities and mismanagement of fuel allocated to the district ambulance.
More Allegations Under Investigation
Separately, a police officer in Buliisa is reportedly being interrogated over allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman who had gone to follow up on her property held in police custody.
Further details about the incident, including the officer’s identity and the status of the investigation, were not immediately available.
Buliisa District Vice Chairperson Moses Businge acknowledged that corruption had affected service delivery in the district and appealed to Balaam to intervene.
The arrests and interdictions are expected to pave the way for investigations into the allegations against the officials.
However, the allegations have not been proven in court. The officials are presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and the investigations are expected to establish the facts surrounding the claims.
