The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kanungu, Uganda | URN | Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara has ordered the interdiction of 42 civil servants in Kanungu District over allegations of corruption, extortion, abuse of office and causing financial loss to the government.
The affected officials include Chief Administrative Officer Abdallah Awuye, former Senior District Engineer Eric Sivaseya Mutumba, District Inspector of Schools Erasmus Tuyishime, District Community Development Officer Ezra Ndizeye, District Principal Human Resource Officer Doreen Rukundo and District Procurement Officer Elisa Mujuni.
Barugahara said the officials had been implicated in covert investigations into alleged corruption and other abuses, including absenteeism, forgery, the sale of government property and poor-quality public works.
The minister announced the action during a public baraza held on Tuesday evening at Kihihi Playground in Kihihi Town Council, where residents accused public officials of demanding money for services and government programmes.
Some residents alleged that they received between 400,000 and 800,000 shillings from the Parish Development Model (PDM), instead of the one million shillings they expected.
Others accused officials of demanding between 150,000 and 250,000 shillings from residents seeking police canine services to track coffee thieves.
Barugahara accused Awuye, who has already been arrested, of presiding over alleged corruption in the district. He alleged that the CAO colluded with officials in the Works Department to misappropriate one billion shillings intended for road works.
The minister also accused Awuye of extorting money from job seekers and working with the education department, headed by District Education Officer Shaban Adamz, to demand payments for examinations in primary schools.
Barugahara further accused district officials of allowing ambulance drivers to charge patients for services that should be provided without unauthorised payments.
The minister also ordered the transfer of two police officers attached to Kanungu Police Station. The officers, identified as Nyakato, who heads the Criminal Investigations Department, and Tabaruka, who heads the canine unit, were accused of demanding bribes from residents seeking police dog services.
Barugahara said the two officers should be transferred to Police Headquarters to face disciplinary proceedings.
In a related development, the minister handed over Deputy Resident District Commissioner Gad Ahimbisibwe Rugaaju to police and officials from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit following complaints about his conduct.
Residents accused Rugaaju of neglecting his duties, particularly in handling land disputes. Some also alleged that he sided with land grabbers by providing them with security to intimidate and harass residents.
The Kanungu action is part of a wider anti-corruption campaign in the Kigezi sub-region.
Barugahara also ordered the interdiction of 41 civil servants in Kabale District, 16 in Rukiga District and 29 in Kisoro District over similar allegations.The minister is expected to proceed to Rukungiri District on Wednesday to conclude the campaign in the sub-region.
