Balaam Orders Interdiction of 63 Rukungiri District and Municipality Officials Over Corruption Allegations
Rukungiri: The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has ordered the interdiction of 63 local government officials from Rukungiri District and Rukungiri Municipality over allegations of corruption, bribery, abuse of office and misuse of public funds and resources.
The directive was issued on October 28, during the minister’s visit to Rukungiri as part of his nationwide anti-corruption campaign dubbed “Expose the Corrupt,” which aims to fight corruption in local governments across the country.
The list of officials targeted for interdiction does not include politicians and other members of the public who were arrested or ordered to be arrested and investigated over various allegations.
Among them is Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Bron Kikanshemeza, who was arrested during the minister’s visit. Nyakishenyi Sub-county LC III Chairperson Wednesday Twinomujuni was also ordered to be arrested over allegations of selling association vehicles and land, as well as mismanaging funds.
Other individuals and groups mentioned during the exercise include members of the Rukungiri District Service Commission, led by their chairperson, Canon Yosia Twirire, and the commission’s secretary. The minister also raised concerns about alleged mismanagement of funds in headteachers’ associations and SACCOs.
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 III 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 Mugamba. The minister later ordered that Southern Division Town Clerk Clara Aheebwa be added to the list.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Balaam directed that all parish chiefs accused of collecting money from beneficiaries be arrested and removed from their jobs.
He also instructed the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) that positions held by officials found to be consistently absent or neglectful should be advertised to allow other qualified and willing people to take up the jobs.
CUE IN……ALIST OF INTERDICTED…ENG