By Spy Uganda
Four senior officials from Mbale District Local Government have been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court on charges related to alleged abuse of office and corruption through neglect of duty following their arrest under the nationwide “Expose the Corrupt” campaign.
The officials were arrested through a joint operation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The campaign is spearheaded by the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara.
The accused include District Health Officer Dr. Wangisi Jonathan, District Education Officer Khaukha Sam Paddy, District Inspector of Schools Walufu Asadi, and Nabiryo Betty Wamanga, the Head Teacher of Nabumali Secondary School.
According to investigators, Dr. Wangisi has been charged with Abuse of Office and Corruption through Neglect of Duty. He was remanded until August 4, 2026.
Prosecution alleges that between 2023 and 2024, while serving as District Health Officer for Mbale District Local Government, Dr. Wangisi irregularly transferred health workers from various health centres to Busia Health Centre IV without consulting or obtaining approval from the Chief Administrative Officer, contrary to established public service procedures.
The alleged unauthorized transfers reportedly left several health facilities understaffed, disrupting the delivery of healthcare services across the district.
Investigators further contend that Dr. Wangisi neglected his statutory responsibilities by failing to adequately assess staffing needs, monitor staff leave schedules, and coordinate the deployment of health workers, actions that allegedly worsened the staffing crisis.
In a separate case, District Education Officer Khaukha Sam Paddy and District Inspector of Schools Walufu Asadi have each been charged with Corruption through Neglect of Duty, while Nabumali Secondary School Head Teacher Nabiryo Betty Wamanga faces a charge of Abuse of Office.
The trio was remanded until August 6, 2026.
According to the prosecution, investigations established that during the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years, Nabiryo allegedly abused her office by unlawfully charging students additional fees in contravention of the Education Act and the Universal Secondary Education (USE) Policy Guidelines.
The investigations also allege that Khaukha and Walufu failed to effectively monitor and inspect schools under their supervision, allowing the illegal collection of fees in government-aided schools, including Nabumali Secondary School.
Authorities say the prosecutions are part of the ongoing “Expose the Corrupt” campaign aimed at strengthening accountability, improving service delivery, and ensuring that public officials entrusted with managing government institutions are held accountable for alleged corruption and abuse of office.
The campaign continues to target corruption and maladministration within local governments across the country as part of broader efforts to promote transparency and good governance.
