Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara has intensified his nationwide campaign against alleged corruption in local governments by ordering the interdiction and arrest of four senior officials in Mbarara City over allegations of financial mismanagement and causing financial loss to government.
The latest operation, which follows similar interventions in Bulambuli District and Masaka City, saw Mbarara City Town Clerk Justine Barekye, Deputy Town Clerk Simon Ejua, Procurement Officer Dina Mwije and another senior official directed to step aside to allow investigations into the allegations.
The officials were also handed over to police to record statements as investigations commence.
Barugahara said the interdictions were intended to ensure that investigators carry out their work without interference.
“The officials have been asked to step aside to pave way for investigations,” the minister said after announcing the action.
Crackdown Reaches Mbarara
The minister’s intervention followed an inspection of Mbarara City’s financial and administrative operations amid allegations of mismanagement of public funds.
According to the minister, the investigations will examine suspected financial irregularities and determine whether government resources were properly managed.
He ordered that the implicated officials vacate their offices pending completion of the investigations, saying accountability in local governments remains a key priority for his ministry.
The move marks one of the most significant administrative actions taken against senior officials in Mbarara City in recent years.
Mayor Cleared
While ordering investigations into the city’s technical leadership, Barugahara cleared Mbarara City Mayor Robert Kakyebezi of wrongdoing.
The minister said preliminary reviews had not established any evidence linking the mayor to the documents and transactions under investigation.
“There is no evidence linking Mayor Robert Kakyebezi to the documents under investigation,” Barugahara said.
He emphasized that investigators would instead focus on officials directly connected to the suspected financial mismanagement.
The minister’s remarks effectively separated the political leadership from the administrative officials currently under investigation.
Katete Bridge Under Fresh Scrutiny
During the same visit to Mbarara, Barugahara also inspected Katete Bridge, which was rehabilitated by the UPDF Engineering Brigade at a reported cost of Shs366 million.
After touring the bridge, the minister questioned the expenditure and announced plans to seek a forensic audit of the project.
He said he would engage the Chief of Defence Forces to carry out a comprehensive review of the project costs, arguing that there were indications the works may have been overpriced.
“I will engage the Chief of Defence Forces to conduct a forensic audit into the project,” Barugahara said, adding that the audit would establish whether taxpayers received value for money.
The minister also ordered the arrest of William Byaruhanga, the former city engineer who supervised the temporary construction works on the bridge, as part of the ongoing investigations.
Anti-Corruption Campaign Expands
The Mbarara operation is the latest chapter in Barugahara’s aggressive campaign to investigate alleged corruption and financial mismanagement in local governments across the country.
Since assuming office, the minister has carried out a series of inspection tours targeting districts and cities accused of poor financial management, abuse of office and procurement irregularities.
His campaign first gained national attention in Bulambuli District, where he launched investigations into the management of public resources and ordered administrative action against officials facing allegations of misconduct.
The inspections later moved to Masaka, where the minister again warned accounting officers and technical staff against misuse of public funds, insisting that government resources must be used strictly for public service delivery.
Barugahara has repeatedly stated that his ministry will not tolerate abuse of public funds and that officials found to have breached financial management laws will face administrative and criminal processes.
He has maintained that strengthening accountability in local governments is essential to improving service delivery.
Zero Tolerance
The minister says the campaign is intended to restore public confidence in local government institutions by ensuring that public officials are held accountable for the management of taxpayers’ money.
He has consistently warned accounting officers, procurement officials and technical staff that they bear personal responsibility for ensuring compliance with government financial regulations.
According to Barugahara, stepping aside during investigations should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt but rather as an administrative measure intended to protect the integrity of the investigative process.
Investigations Continue
Police are expected to record statements from the implicated officials before determining the next course of action.
The Ministry of Local Government says investigations will establish whether there is sufficient evidence to support any further administrative or criminal proceedings.
For now, the interdicted officials remain under investigation, while the minister has indicated that similar accountability inspections will continue in other local governments as his nationwide anti-corruption campaign gathers momentum.
The latest developments in Mbarara underscore Barugahara’s determination to pursue allegations of financial mismanagement wherever they arise, while insisting that due process be followed before any conclusions are reached.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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