By Aggrey Twesigye
The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has ordered the arrest and interdiction of five Mbarara District officials over allegations of corruption, extortion, sexual exploitation and mismanagement of public revenue.
The officials are Lucky Julius, the Senior Physical Planner; Benson Baingana, the Senior Human Resource Officer; Engineer Joseph Mucunguzi, the District Water Officer; Abson Agaba, the Officer in Charge of Building Permits in Bwizibwera-Rutooma Town Council; and Patrick Tumuhimbise Bigambwensi, the Mayor of Bwizibwera-Rutooma Town Council.
Barugahara accused Baingana of manipulating the district payroll, sexually exploiting individuals and extorting money from pensioners and other beneficiaries seeking to access their pension and gratuity payments.
The minister said the implicated officials could face charges of causing financial loss to government under the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009, as well as corruption and abuse of office under the relevant laws.
He warned that government would not tolerate the abuse of public offices or diversion of public resources, and called for accountability and impartial investigations into the allegations.
Barugahara issued the directives during an anti-corruption meeting at Mbarara District Hall, attended by district leaders, technical officers and other stakeholders. The meeting aimed at strengthening accountability, fighting corruption and improving service delivery.
