Minister Balaam Arrests Rukungiri RDC, Municipal Education Officer Over Corruption Allegations

Rukungiri: The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has on October 28, arrested two government officials in Rukungiri District and Rukungiri Municipality over allegations of corruption, bribery, abuse of office and misuse of public resources.

The officials are Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Bron Kinkashemeza and Municipal Education Officer Robert Agume, who were arrested during the minister’s anti-corruption campaign.

The minister also ordered the arrest of other officials, including District Education Officer Jackson Turyahumura, District Engineer Julius Bagira, District Water Engineer Deus Twekwase, Municipal Engineer Merynah Kekiijo and Municipal Revenue Officer Alex Karugaba.

The orders followed concerns raised during a meeting with local government leaders at the Rukungiri District Council Hall. The officials are expected to face investigations by the Anti-Corruption Unit.

The arrest of RDC Kinkashemeza followed a complaint by Omuburama Primary School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Chairperson Tibemanya Kagurusi over the renovation of classrooms at the school.

Kagurusi told the meeting that the government had planned to renovate four classrooms, but only two were reportedly completed.

The RDC reportedly commissioned the renovated classrooms in his capacity as the President’s representative, raising questions about the implementation and supervision of the project.

Following the complaint, Minister Barugahara ordered the RDC’s arrest to allow further investigations into the matter.

Municipal Education Officer Robert Agume was arrested after a parent at Rukondo Primary School in Western Division, Rukungiri Municipality, complained about examination registration fees.

The parent alleged that each Primary Seven candidate was being asked to pay Shs20,000 to register for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

Minister Barugahara reportedly condemned the charges, describing them as illegal and raising concerns about possible corruption in the registration process.

Investigations are expected to establish why the money was being demanded and whether the school had violated the required examination registration procedures.

Meanwhile, District Education Officer Jackson Turyahumura was summoned to explain concerns raised about the education sector but reportedly failed to attend the meeting.

The minister was also informed that technical inspectors responsible for supervising schools were absent.

Following his failure to attend, Barugahara ordered Turyahumura’s arrest to allow further investigations into the issues raised against the district education department.

The meeting was also marked by the absence of several heads of technical departments from both Rukungiri District and the municipality.

Rukungiri Town Clerk Isiah Tumwesigye reportedly told the minister that he had invited the heads of departments to attend the meeting. However, they sent him messages on the morning of the meeting, saying they would not attend because they felt uncomfortable and afraid.

Following their absence, the minister ordered action against the officials, including interdiction and arrest, according to information presented during the meeting.

The officials are expected to face investigations into allegations of corruption, bribery, abuse of office and misuse of government resources.