By Nanteza Ruth Walusimbi
KALIRO
Nine Kaliro district officials were arrested on Wednesday 9th September 2026 following the monitoring visit of government projects by Local Government minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi in the district.
During his monitoring drive he visited Namwiwa Market, Namwiwa Health Centre III and Buyinda Health Centre III and later held a meeting with Heads of Department where he ordered the arrest of district officials.
Those under police custody are Principal Human Resource Officer- James Nsako, Production Officer- Fred Max Mbalumya for paying workers who absconded from duty, Kaliro DEO- Edward Kamaga over ghost schools including Luboolo Cope Centre and Saaka Cope Centre and illegal fees.
Others are: former District Engineer- Paul Nyonyintono for recommending payment for incomplete Namwiwa Market and Buyinda Sub-county Administrative block worth 425 million shillings for only foundation and Janat Takuwa the District Physical Planner, Tinkamayire Charles- the Principle Agriculture Officer, Dr. Zaid Atuma- the District Health Officer, Latif Wantimba- the Contact Agriculture Engineer, and Thomas Kibalya the Senior Agriculture Officer.
He also directed the interdiction of Lydia Mpanga, the Kaliro Town Clerk for mismanaging government funds and selling Namwiwa Sub- County land.
Balaam was shocked when he reached the Kaliro PDM Demonstration Garden which is allocated Shillings 6 million annually where locals requested him to visit Bumanya Health Centre IV and intervene in the health challenges in the area.
The Kaliro Chief Administrative Officer, Richard Sajjabi Bukone shed tears while explaining how a one David Basalirwa was recruited with forged documents.
Balaam also expressed concern over the high rate of land grabbing cases and corruption in Kaliro District while speaking to locals who later gathered at Bukumankoola Muslim Primary School.
According to locals, security organs have been instrumental in promoting land grabbing in the area. Minister Balaam has pledged to fight land grabbing in Kaliro District.
During the monitoring drive, it was also revealed that Kaliro District has over 25,000 ghost pupils in schools.
