About 64 officials in Rukungiri District and Municipality have reportedly been interdicted or referred for investigation following a visit by Minister Balaam, during which residents raised concerns about alleged corruption, poor service delivery and misuse of public funds.
The account says 52 officials are from the district and 12 from the municipality a combined total of 62, though the overall figure was not clearly reconciled due to some adjustments. Those named include politicians, Parish Development Model focal persons and departmental staff.
Among the officials reportedly arrested are Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner Bron Kikanshemeza and the Municipal Education Officer (MEO). Their cases were raised during a meeting at the Rukungiri District Council Hall.
The MEO is accused of failing to address allegations that Primary Seven candidates at Rukondo Primary School were charged UGX 20,000 for registration. The account says the officer was held to account over the reported charge.
Kikanshemeza’s arrest was reportedly linked to the commissioning of a classroom renovation project at Omuburama Model Primary School. Residents alleged that only two of four classrooms had been renovated. Balaam also reportedly directed that District Education Officer Jackson Turyahumura and the district inspector of schools be arrested over the matter and referred the case to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Municipal Town Clerk Isiah Tumwesigye was reportedly ordered out of office. Balaam questioned how the town clerk could remain in the position while a municipal sports pitch lacked an improved toilet. The account also refers to corruption allegations against Tumwesigye in Ntungamo.
Other officials reportedly affected include district engineers, auditors, the commercial and community development officers, a senior procurement officer, a senior lands officer, a forest officer, school staff, clinical personnel, town clerks and former municipal and district officials. The Nyakishenyi LC3 chairperson was also named among many others.
Several stakeholders reportedly did not attend the minister’s engagements. Their absence was attributed to fears of arrest over alleged misconduct. The allegations and reported actions have not been independently verified.
The district officials named in the interdiction directive include 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, District Engineer Julius Bagyira, Civil Engineer Alex Karamuzi, Senior Lands Officer Martin Agaba and Senior Internal Auditor Amon Atuheire.
Others are former Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Hajji Swalihk Wasswa Masokoyi, Senior Internal Auditor Amon Ahurira, Commercial Officer Michael Kamugabirwe, Kebisoni Town Council Treasurer Flankline Twinomujuni, Eastern Division Town Clerk Evas Kyobutungi, Buyanja Town Council Clerk Nicholas Kahumuza and Chief Finance Officer Jorum Asiimwe.
The list also includes former town clerk Prosper Tagobya, now serving in Masaka City, and former town clerk and treasurer Loy Biboona, now serving in Ntungamo District.
Other officials named are 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.
Also named are 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 (CDO) Arthur Muhanguzi and Buyanja Assistant Agricultural Officer Jennifer Kyasimire.
The remaining officials listed include Senior Assistant Treasurer Wilberforce Kansiime, District Salary Accounts Officer Isaac Akasinguzi, District Civil Engineer Emmie Tukashaba, District Internal Auditor Wilber Ahimbisibwe, Buhunga Health Centre IV health officer Babisha Kasigazi, Kebisoni Integrated Primary School Headteacher Musasizi Herbert, Bucence Primary School Headteacher Julius Barigye, Kyaburere Primary School Headteacher Edward Tukamukunda and Rukungiri Heath Centre IV Clinical Officer Hillary Arinda.
Others are Cold Chain Assistant at Kebisoni Health Centre IV Henry Twesigye, 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, Ndere Parish Chief Arthur Nimusiima and Kasoroza Primary School Headteacher Emmanuel Musinguzi.
In Rukungiri Municipality, the officials named include Municipal Education Officer Robert Agume, Municipal Engineer Merynah Kekiijo, Revenue Officer Alex Karugaba, Municipal Inspector of Schools Julius Musiimenta, 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 Mugabirwe. The minister later ordered that Southern Division Town Clerk Clara Aheebwa and Kagunga Seed Secondary School Headteacher Amos Gumisiriza be added to the list.
