By Spy Uganda
Questions surrounding the implementation of several multi-billion-shilling government projects have triggered a fresh administrative probe in Mitooma District, with Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi ordering action against eight district officials.
The minister’s directive followed concerns raised by Mitooma District Chairperson Alex Karitundu over the status of government-funded projects, some of which he said had received substantial payments despite remaining incomplete.
One of the projects at the centre of the concerns is the Shs2.9 billion Kigyende Seed School, which Karitundu said was only about 23 per cent complete even though the contractor had allegedly received full payment.
The Shs8 billion Ncwera 7 Bridge is also under scrutiny, with the district leadership reporting that the project was only about 50 per cent complete.
Another project cited is the district skilling centre, reportedly 64 per cent complete despite allegations that it had also been fully paid for.
At Kigyende Health Centre IV, Karitundu raised concerns over the alleged theft of equipment, saying the matter had not yet been resolved.
The Shs540 million Ncwera III project, reportedly about 90 per cent complete, and several small-scale irrigation schemes said to have been abandoned by contractors have also been listed among the projects requiring investigation.
The concerns have now widened beyond individual projects to the wider management of public resources in the district.
Minister Barugahara directed Mitooma District Chief Administrative Officer Amis Asuman Masereka to forward the names of eight officials to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, for interdiction.
Those named are District Health Officer Dr Sadic Byamugisha, District Education Officer Peace Gloria Barungi, Senior Engineer and Acting District Engineer John Baptist Tumwebaze, Civil Engineer-Water Geoffrey Tumusiime, Senior Environment Officer Godwin Kagumire, Senior Assistant Secretary Vincent Rugambwa, ambulance driver Godfrey Mugumya and Medical Officer Dr Patrick Oloya.
Tumwebaze is facing allegations linked to the management of more than Shs1 billion in road funds, as well as claims of poor-quality works at Rutaka Primary School where about Shs40 million was reportedly spent.
Kagumire, meanwhile, has been accused of neglecting his responsibilities as senior environment officer as concerns over the degradation of Rutenga wetland continue.
Barugahara has also ordered investigations into the management of the district tractor, Katenga Health Centre III, ambulance service payments and the district abattoir, whose construction reportedly cost Shs44 million.
The minister has also ordered the arrest of Mitooma District Service Commission Chairperson Sam Tugume Karakuza over allegations of extorting money from job seekers.
Karakuza is currently on police bond after being arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit over similar allegations.
He is accused of allegedly working with Dr Oloya to obtain Shs19 million from Julius Kato in connection with a clinical officer position.
Barugahara directed the Inspectorate of Government, State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Resident District Commissioner and the Criminal Investigations Directorate to investigate the allegations.
The probe is expected to establish how public funds were managed, whether government projects were properly implemented and whether any officials or other individuals should be held accountable.
Karitundu also raised concerns about the district’s administrative stability, noting that Mitooma has had 12 CAOs since its creation in July 2010.
He said successive administrations had left a number of administrative challenges unresolved and cited former CAO Joanita Nakityo, who was accused of interfering with the work of the District Service Commission.
The minister’s intervention has therefore placed Mitooma’s project implementation, recruitment systems and general administration under closer scrutiny.
The allegations against the officials and other individuals remain subject to investigation, and the interdiction process does not by itself establish wrongdoing. The investigations are expected to determine whether the concerns raised are substantiated and what action should follow.
