The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has directed the arrest and interdiction of 14 current and former officials of Mbarara City Council following allegations of corruption, abuse of office and financial mismanagement uncovered during the government’s ongoing “Expose the Corrupt” campaign.
The directive was issued on Tuesday during a public accountability meeting held in Mbarara City, where the minister instructed the Rwizi Regional Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) to open investigations and record statements from all the officials named in the probe.
Those affected include City Town Clerk Justin Barekye, Deputy Town Clerk Simon Ejau, Natural Resources Officer David Sancho Nuwagaba, Trade Officer Allan Karakure, Procurement Officer Dina Mwije, Principal Revenue Officer and Contracts Committee Chairperson Samuel Tayebwa Rwakinanga, Engineering Officer Ronald Kamukama, current City Engineer Jackie Tumwine, Probation Officer Henry Mugisha, City Health Officer Dr. Keirukye Mugisha, former Deputy Town Clerk Richard Mugisha, former City Engineer Logino Mugisha, former procurement officer Edgar Atwine and James Agaba, who currently serves as Principal Commercial Officer in Fort Portal City.
Barugahara directed that officials who have since been transferred to other government stations should be recalled, interdicted where appropriate and compelled to record statements as investigations continue.
One of the key allegations relates to former Deputy Town Clerk Richard Mugisha, who is accused of irregularly disposing of council land in Biharwe measuring approximately 0.0046 hectares at a price allegedly far below its market value. The minister claimed the land was sold to an entity in which Mugisha allegedly had an interest, an action he said violated public service and procurement laws.
The minister also accused James Agaba and Donati Mutahi of extorting money from beneficiaries of the Emyooga programme. According to Barugahara, the two officials had previously been interdicted and prosecuted before entering plea bargain arrangements, yet later remained in public service, with one promoted and the other transferred.
Barugahara further alleged that Town Clerk Justin Barekye, Deputy Town Clerk Simon Ejau, David Sancho Nuwagaba, Allan Karakure and former City Engineer Logino Mugisha caused government financial losses exceeding Shs716 million through the alleged mismanagement of property tax collections. He said the matter is already under investigation by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The minister also questioned payments amounting to Shs216 million made to Kwed Construction Limited during the construction of Col. Ndahendekire Road, saying government has commissioned a forensic engineering audit to establish whether public funds were improperly spent.
The road project was awarded at a contract sum of Shs1.509 billion.
Barugahara further faulted Town Clerk Barekye for allegedly interdicting the Chief Finance Officer and the Principal Procurement Officer despite legal advice from the Attorney General reportedly indicating that such action was not justified.
Responding to some of the allegations, Procurement Officer Dina Mwije said the State House Anti-Corruption Unit had previously ordered her reinstatement after reviewing her case. She further claimed that upon returning to office, she discovered procurement files for the 2025/2026 financial year, particularly those relating to newly created revenue sources, were missing even though contracts worth billions of shillings had already been awarded.
The minister also raised concerns over the implementation of the Buremba Road and Victor Bwana Link Road projects, accusing former City Engineer Logino Mugisha, Edgar Atwine and Samuel Tayebwa Rwakinanga of irregularities in the execution of the works.
He further questioned the procurement and repeated extension of a Shs5.748 billion contract awarded to Star Group for the construction of road links in Mbarara City. According to the minister, the contract was extended nine times, resulting in an estimated additional cost of Shs1.7 billion before the works were completed.
Barugahara also cited what he described as irregular advances made without the necessary approvals, including Shs139 million advanced to Probation Officer Henry Mugisha, Shs31 million to City Engineer Jackie Tumwine and another Shs31 million to City Health Officer Dr. Keirukye Mugisha.
In addition, he alleged that Mbarara City lost approximately Shs57.6 million within six months through the management of a street parking contract awarded to Yoya Technologies.
The minister directed the Resident City Commissioner, the Regional Police Commander and the District Police Commander to ensure that all the implicated officials cooperate with investigators by recording statements as inquiries continue.
The developments were welcomed by some residents and former leaders. Former city councillor Byansi Muhammad said many of the issues had repeatedly been raised during council sittings but were never acted upon by the city administration.
A resident, Aggrey Mbazira, described the minister’s intervention as timely, saying stronger supervision by government ministries could help curb corruption and improve accountability in public institutions.
Investigations into the allegations are ongoing, and no criminal convictions have been secured against the officials named. Under Ugandan law, they remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
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