By Our Staff Reporters
TORORO
The anti-corruption tour by the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi in Tororo District recently took a new twist, after former Tororo Municipality MP, Hon. Apollo Yeri Ofwono was implicated in over six corruption scandal cases by both leaders and residents.
The allegations against the former legislator were raised during the Minister’s “Expose the Corrupt” Baraza held on September 19, 2026, at Tororo District Headquarters and at the community Baraza at the district headquarters and Children’s Park.
Yeri was severally accused of misallocation of Tororo Rock Tourism Funds with residents and local leaders saying Yeri allegedly diverted funds meant for the development of the Tororo Rock Tourism Site to his privately owned land in Osukuru Subcounty, where he allegedly established a recreation centre named Maro Recreation Centre. Minister Balaam consequently ordered for investigations into the matter.
The former Legislator was also accused of conniving with former Mayor, Orono Nyapidi and the Municipal Physical Planner, Gorreti, to allegedly sell one acre of land located on the municipal dumping site.
Besides the former MP was also implicated alongside former Mayor Orono and the Municipal Procurement Officer in allegedly exaggerating the cost of 45 street lights, with each reportedly costing Shs12.5 million.
During the same visit, the Minister stopped ongoing construction on a piece of land next to Tororo Central Market, which is allegedly owned by Hon. Yeri Ofwono, until further notice, claiming the land belongs to the market.
The now embattled Apollo was also accused by leaders of attempting to grab land belonging to Agururu Technical Institute in Agururu B3, land that was partly affected by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project.
In another twist, former Mayor, Opio John was arrested over the disappearance sewing machines that were meant for widows of veterans and led the police to a property owned by Hon. Yeri where the machines were recovered.
It also emerged that Hon. Yeri is already in court over land that was previously owned by the Tororo Works Department.
Minister Balaam said all the matters will be investigated by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the IGG.
