Minister Balaam Names 28 Rukungiri Government Officials Allegedly Given Jobs Through Family Connections
Rukungiri: The Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, has called for investigations into the Rukungiri District Service Commission over alleged nepotism in the recruitment of district and municipal employees.
The minister accused current and former district officials of helping their relatives secure government jobs, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in public service recruitment.
Balaam made the allegations on October 28, during his visit to the district as part of a campaign to expose corruption. He reportedly read out a list of officials and the people he alleged had secured jobs through family connections.
The minister directed the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate the current District Service Commission, chaired by Canon Yosiya Twirire, as well as previous commissions over the alleged irregularities.
He also accused the commission’s secretary, Principal Human Resource Officer Kenneth Mutungi Katirimba, of having several relatives employed in government positions.
According to Minister Balaam Barugahara, Amos Gumisiriza, the district population officer, is Mutungi’s brother, while Andrew Mwogyeire, the district labour officer, is his sister’s son. Joan Kyobutungi, the district principal human resource officer, is allegedly his sister’s daughter.
The minister also named Racheal Atuheire, the assistant town clerk of Kebisoni Town Council, whom he described as his sister’s daughter; Cosmas Mugabire, a senior human resource officer at Rukungiri Municipality, whom he identified as a relative; and Emmanuel Musinguzi, a headteacher at Kasoroza Primary School, whom he described as his brother-in-law.
CUE IN……BALAAM ON MUTUNGI……ENG
The minister also accused the District Chief Finance Officer, Joram Asiimwe, of having several relatives working in different government departments and local authorities.
Minister Balaam alleged that Alex Karugaba, the Rukungiri Municipality revenue officer, is Asiimwe’s wife’s brother. Noah Mutesasira Owamani, an accounts assistant at Kebisoni, was described as a relative, while Mugabe, an accounts assistant at Nyakagyeme Sub-county, was also identified as Asiimwe’s wife’s brother.
The minister further alleged that Agnes Atwine, an accounts assistant at Buhunga Health Centre IV, is Asiimwe’s second wife and that the two are involved in money lending together.
Wilson Musiimenta, a senior accounts assistant at Buhunga Sub-county, was described as both a relative and a fellow villager from Kyamakanda in Buyanja. Geoffrey Tubyomwe, a senior accounts assistant at Kebisoni Sub-county, was also described as a relative and fellow villager.
The minister of Local Government further named Isaac Turyazayo, the district statistician, whom he described as a brother to Asiimwe’s wife.
Catherine Natuhumuza, the assistant town clerk of Buyanja Town Council, was alleged to be a relative of Turyazayo’s wife. The minister also named Boaz Musinguzi, a senior accountant, whom he linked to Catherine Natuhumuza.
CUE IN…..BALAAM ON ASIIMWE……ENG
Hon Barugahara also raised concerns about appointments allegedly linked to former District Service Commission member Mzee Bushoberwa.
The minister named Caroline Mbabazi, the district senior environmental officer, whom he described as Bushoberwa’s daughter. Andrew Arinda, the human resource officer at Buyanja Town Council, was also identified as Bushoberwa’s son.
The minister further named officials allegedly connected to former Principal Human Resource Officer Ivan Tumwebaze.
They include Peace Katushabe, formerly a senior clinical officer at Kasheshe Health Centre, whom he described as Tumwebaze’s wife; Arthur Muhanguzi, the community development officer at Buyanja Town Council, whom he identified as his brother-in-law; and Jennifer Kyasimire, an assistant agricultural officer at Buyanja Town Council, whom he described as his sister.
CUE IN…..BALAAM ON MZEE BUSHOBERWA….. ENG
The minister also named other officials whom he alleged had family connections within the district’s public service.
Memory Tumushabe, the district senior environmental officer, was described as a son of Exavior Ryanabo, a senior accountant assistant at the district. The minister also mentioned Olivar, the district cashier as a wife to Memory.
Allan Agaba, an agricultural officer at Rwerere Town Council, was identified as a son of the late Kagambo, a former secretary in the natural resources department. Norman Agaba, the senior assistant town clerk of Kebisoni Town Council, was described as a brother to Katende Lauben, the senior environmental officer at Rukungiri Municipality.
Charline Twasiimire, the district principal community development officer, was identified as a sister to Harrison Mukuru, the district probation officer.
CUE IN……BALAAM ON OTHER OFFICIALS….ENG