A significant number of staff at Masindi district local government and municipality have gone into hiding following a directive issued by local government Minister Balaam Barugahara for the arrest of those implicated in corruption, abuse of office, extortion, and mismanagement of government projects. The officials from various departments, including works, finance, production, procurement, education, health, and water, were named during Barugahara's "Expose the Corrupt Campaign" on Wednesday.
Minister Barugahara ordered the arrests of several staff members, including engineers, commercial officers, Parish Development Model (PDM) officials, Emyooga officials, and education authorities. Those targeted include Benjamin Byarugaba, the former Chairperson of the Masindi District Service Commission, and Angela Nyandera, the current Secretary of the commission, over allegations of extorting money from job seekers and selling government jobs. Several people testified against the two officials, alleging that they were asked to pay between Shs5 million and Shs20 million for government jobs but never received the positions.
On Thursday, most of the district and municipal staff implicated in corrupt tendencies did not report for work at their respective offices, allegedly fearing arrest. A source at the Masindi district headquarters said that by 11 a.m., almost all staff implicated had not reported for work, and it is feared they are evading arrests. Masindi Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Samuel Kasaija stated that all staff being implicated in corruption tendencies will be arrested and action will be taken against them.
Masindi District Police Commander (DPC) Pensive Tukasiima vowed to implement the directive issued by Minister Balaam to have the implicated civil servants arrested and charged. Those targeted also include Dr. Fred Sebuguzi, the former acting Production Officer, over allegations that he misappropriated Shs110 million intended for a micro-scale irrigation project. Additionally, Principal Education Officer Sam Peter Ayebale and Building Engineer Robert Magezi were ordered to be interdicted over the management of Shs120 million allocated to renovate five classroom blocks at Kamurasi Demonstration Primary School.
The directive followed concerns raised by Godfrey Kugonza, the municipal councillor representing Kikwanana Ward, who questioned the cost of the renovation, particularly because the school had received free iron sheets from the Office of the Prime Minister for the works. Minister Barugahara said the condition of the renovated buildings raised questions about whether the project had delivered value for money and ordered investigations into how the funds were spent.
Minister Barugahara also ordered the arrest and interdiction of Godfrey Mirimo, the Principal Health Officer at Masindi Municipal Council, over allegations concerning funds allocated to install electricity at Kibwona Health Centre II, Kibyama Health Centre II, and Katasenywa Health Centre III. Furthermore, former Masindi Town Clerk Daniel Kasala and Municipal Engineer John Kasaija were directed to account for Shs340 million released for the construction of the new municipal administration block.
The minister's directives form part of his ongoing "Expose the Corrupt Campaign", through which he has been visiting local governments and receiving complaints from members of the public about alleged misuse of public resources and poor service delivery. The campaign has led to the fleeing of staff members and the arrest of those implicated in corrupt activities.
Key points
- Minister Balaam Barugahara's "Expose the Corrupt Campaign" has led to a significant crackdown on corruption in Masindi district local government and municipality.
- Several staff members have been implicated in corruption, abuse of office, extortion, and mismanagement of government projects.
- Those implicated include high-ranking officials such as the former Chairperson of the Masindi District Service Commission and the current Secretary of the commission.
