By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Kitagwenda District Chairperson Ismail Mushemeza has been arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kamwenge, days after his arrest in Kampala by officers from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) on Wednesday.
According to the charge sheet, Mushemeza faces seven counts of obtaining money by false pretence.
The prosecution alleges that he solicited and received money from several individuals under fraudulent circumstances.
Mushemeza, who had reportedly been on the run since July 2025, was arrested in Kampala by police officers attached to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) and arraigned to court on Friday, December 12, 2025 and remanded until January 6, 2026.
He was last seen at a campaign rally in Kicheche Sub-county when operatives of State House Anti-Corruption Unit raided the place prompting him to flee
Authorities accuse him of soliciting bribes from job applicants.
State House Anti-Corruption Unit spokesperson Natasha Mariam confirmed that Mushemeza is wanted for allegedly soliciting bribes ranging from Shs10 million to Shs20 million from job seekers in the district.
STATE HOUSE ANTI-CORRUPTION STATEMENT
Kambanda, along with other accomplices still at large, allegedly defrauded several job applicants between 2024 and 2025, promising them jobs mainly in the Nursing and Midwifery departments of Kitagwenda District, despite there being no actual job openings.
Several residents of Kitagwenda District lodged complaints against the LC5 Chairperson, accusing him of extorting money from them by promising district jobs that never materialized. Victims reported paying amounts ranging from UGX 5 million to 15 million, either directly or through his agents, after which they received fake appointment letters and fake minutes from the District Service Commission.
When the victims attempted to assume their positions, they discovered that their appointment letters were fake and that the jobs did not exist. When they asked for their money back, Kambanda refused to return it. As a result, the victims reported the matter to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, which coordinated with the Kitagwenda Police and local leaders to initiate an investigation.
Upon learning about the inquiries, Kambanda abandoned his office and went into hiding for several months until he was eventually arrested. Further inquiries into the matter are still ongoing and we call upon victims who were extorted by the LC5 to report to police.
H.E the President has long reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption, especially regarding recruitment in districts through District Service Commissions. So far, the unit has conducted investigations in over 20 districts, including Mpigi, Gomba, Kyankwanzi, and Mukono, among others. Over 15 officials have been arraigned before courts on various charges related to the sale of government jobs.
