Six Kapchorwa officials arrested over alleged corruption, abuse of office

Kapchorwa, Uganda | URN | Six senior officials in Kapchorwa District have been arrested on allegations of corruption, abuse of office, financial loss, and failure to manage government projects properly. They include Joseph Magari, the Chief Administrative Officer; Dr Siraji Masai, the District Health Officer; Joseph Bukose Musobo, the District Engineer; and Tonny Ogwang, the Town Clerk of Kapchorwa Municipality.

The officials were arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit following complaints raised by residents, local leaders and other stakeholders over the management of public resources and delivery of government services. The arrests were ordered by the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, during an accountability meeting in Kapchorwa on Saturday under the government’s “Expose the Corrupt” campaign.

The meeting was dominated by complaints about alleged mismanagement of government projects, poor roads, recruitment by the District Service Commission, the state of health facilities and the use of public funds. The Chief Administrative Officer was accused of allegedly backdating District Service Commission minutes to facilitate the awarding of jobs and approving payments for projects whose execution was questioned by residents.

The District Engineer was also implicated over alleged failure to properly supervise road works and other infrastructure projects. Residents questioned the quality of some government-funded projects, arguing that contractors had allegedly been paid despite work that did not correspond with the money invested. Stephen Siwa, a resident of Cheptilial Cell in West Division, said public funds should translate into visible services.

“We have been seeing projects being implemented, but the quality of some of these works does not match the money that government puts into them. We want officials to account for every Shilling and make sure that people get value for their money,” Siwa said. Rosemary Chesang, a resident of Central Division, also called for greater accountability in the delivery of government services.

“We want our leaders and officials to listen to the people. When government sends money for roads, health and other services, we expect to see the services. If there is misuse of public funds, those responsible should be held accountable,” Chesang said. The District Health Officer, Dr Siraji Masai, was arrested over questions surrounding the auctioning of a generator at Kapkwirwok Health Centre III.

Residents questioned why the generator was disposed of without a replacement, leaving the health facility without a reliable backup power source. During the accountability forum, Masai acknowledged that the generator had been auctioned, although questions remained over the circumstances and procedures followed in its disposal. The Town Clerk was also implicated in allegations of financial loss and mismanagement of public funds, prompting the minister to direct security agencies to investigate the matter.

Barugahara said public officials entrusted with government resources must be prepared to account for them. “If you have taken government money, you must account for it. We shall follow you wherever you go until you account for the money,” Barugahara said. He dismissed concerns that the arrests amounted to a witch-hunt against public servants, saying the campaign was intended to protect public resources.

“This is not a witch-hunt against public servants. We are here to expose those who misuse public resources because government money belongs to the people and must be used to deliver services,” Barugahara said.

The minister also directed police to search for officials who had been implicated but had not presented themselves for questioning.

The District Service Commission Secretary, Abas Chekwoti, also came under scrutiny over allegations surrounding recruitment, with residents questioning the transparency of some appointments. The arrests in Kapchorwa come days after similar action was taken against officials in neighbouring Bukwo and Kween districts over allegations of corruption, abuse of office and mismanagement of government resources.

Barugahara’s accountability tour of the Sebei sub-region started in Bukwo on August 27, continued in Kween on August 28, in Kapchorwa on August 29, and is scheduled to end in the lower belt of Kween District on August 30. The minister said the campaign would continue to focus on ensuring that public resources are properly accounted for and government programmes deliver the intended services to citizens.