By Spy Uganda
More than 20 officials from Pallisa District have reportedly been arrested and interdicted over alleged corruption and abuse of office, following an anti-corruption operation led by the Minister for Local Gov’t, Balaam Barugahara.
The operation was conducted under the #ExposeTheCorrupt tour, which seeks to expose suspected corruption and promote accountability in public institutions.
The list of officials reportedly affected by the operation includes senior district administrators, heads of departments, technical officers and local government employees.
Among those named are Pallisa Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Dikusoka Majidu, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Simon Peter Areu, District Health Officer Dr Godfrey Mulekwa, District Education Officer Ronald Omutujju and District Service Commission Secretary Charles.
Others include former Pallisa CAO Felix Majeme, who currently serves as CAO of Oyam District; Senior Human Resource Officer Francis Tadeyo; District Water Engineer Hannington Opendu; Chief Finance Officer Herbert Kirya; and Inspector of Schools John Opedun.
The list further names District Principal Auditor Emmanuel Kirya, Senior Procurement Officer Apollo Opongoru, District Planner Robert Mukesi, Community Development Officer George Onyait and Production Officer Dr Michael Okwalinga.
Other officials reportedly affected include Senior Assistant CAO Samson Emasit Okurut, Assistant CAO Aaron Aabayas, Records Assistant Officer Jessica, District Treasurer Silva Okiria, Agule Town Council Town Clerk Ferdinand Opolot and Kameke Sub-county Accountant Joseph Kirya.
Two additional engineers are also expected to be added to the list, according to the information released.
The reported action against the officials marks a significant development in the ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has drawn attention to alleged irregularities in local government administration and the management of public resources.
However, the specific allegations against each official, the circumstances surrounding their arrests and interdictions, and the status of any investigations or court proceedings were not immediately detailed.
An interdiction is an administrative measure that temporarily bars a public officer from performing official duties, usually pending investigations or disciplinary proceedings. It does not, in itself, establish guilt.
The affected officials are entitled to due process, and any allegations of corruption must be established through the appropriate legal and administrative procedures.
