Nwoya District Local Government has welcomed a new Chief Administrative Officer following the interdiction of former CAO Jenephar Nantume Egunyu, who is facing corruption-related charges linked to alleged abuse of office and theft.
Richard Madete officially assumed office on Wednesday, May 13, replacing Nantume whose troubles began after her arrest by officials from the Inspectorate of Government in late April. Madete previously served as the Chief Administrative Officer of Nabilatuk District.
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According to district authorities, his appointment was confirmed by the Ministry of Local Government after Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya issued deployment instructions on May 6.
Nwoya District Communications Officer Geoffrey Axuma said the transition is being conducted under the provisions of the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders governing handover procedures in public offices.
Nantume was arrested on April 27 in Nwoya District and later presented before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.
Prosecutors accuse her of misusing her authority between 2023 and 2024, particularly in connection with the controversial establishment and management of animal markets in the district.
She was charged alongside Fred Kalisa, a resident of Got Okwara Village in Lungulu Sub-county, who investigators claim played a role in the alleged irregularities. Another suspect, businessman Ronald Wanda from Kiyindi in Buikwe District, is reportedly still at large.
Although Nantume denied the accusations, the court later granted her bail after she spent several days on remand at Luzira Prison.
The arrival of Madete has been welcomed by several district leaders who believe the administration change could help restore confidence in local governance and revive stalled development programmes.
Nwoya Resident District Commissioner Christopher Omara described the appointment as an important step toward rebuilding public trust in the district’s leadership.
Omara said residents had for a long time raised concerns over alleged corruption and poor accountability in the management of public projects.
He noted that the new CAO takes office at a critical moment when the district is trying to strengthen cooperation between technical staff and political leaders to improve service delivery.
Among the projects cited by district leaders is the disputed Nyamukino animal market in Got Okwara Village, where officials allege that revenue collections were never properly remitted to district accounts.
Other concerns include delayed road works on the Ayero-Olwangi–Dog Acwa route, an unfinished eight-cell culvert project reportedly worth more than Shs1.8 billion, and stalled fencing works at Anaka General Hospital staff quarters despite government funding being allocated in the 2022/23 financial year.
Nantume was appointed CAO of Nwoya District in 2023 after previously serving as the Woman Member of Parliament for Buvuma District from 2011 to 2021.
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