By Andrew Nakhaboya
MANAFWA
Eleven Manafwa District officials have been arrested over allegations of corruption, abuse of office, misuse of public resources and other administrative irregularities.
The arrests followed a visit to the district by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi on Friday, September 18, as part of his ongoing “Expose the Corrupt” campaign.
Among those arrested are Rachael Nambuya, the district education officer; school inspectors Mungoma Masolo and Isaac Natifu; Boniface Obno, the district production officer; and Ephraim Nakhokho, the district health officer.
Others are; Juliana Kahinju Akiki, the district water engineer; Hamfrey Mafumo, the district agricultural officer; Perez Masolo, the district biostatistician; Patrick Natanga, the senior agricultural officer; and assistant district health officers Stephen Waniala and Emmanuel Walekula.
According to Barugahara, the officials were implicated in alleged mismanagement of government resources and failure to ensure effective service delivery.
“We have identified and arrested 11 plus over 20 officers who will be interdicted to pave way for impartial investigations against them,” Barugahara said.
He said the interdictions would allow the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other relevant authorities to investigate whether government resources had been misappropriated or mismanaged.
Barugahara warned government officials against diverting public funds, saying such practices undermine service delivery and create a negative image of government.
He said government programmes and promises were being implemented, but their intended impact could be undermined when funds and other resources are misused by officials responsible for implementation.
Barugahara added that officials found culpable after investigations would face appropriate administrative or legal action.
Residents Welcome Action
Peter Wangolo, a resident of Manafwa Town Council, welcomed the minister’s directive, saying the arrests and planned interdictions could serve as a warning to officials involved in wrongdoing.
“Those who survived interdiction will work professionally after learning the consequences and inconveniences involved in the arrests and interdictions,” Wangolo said.
More Officials Recommended for Interdiction
More than 20 other district officials were also reportedly recommended for interdiction to pave way for investigations.
They include Kigai Peter, the human resource officer at Bugobero Health Centre IV; Mercy Khiisa, senior community development officer of Masaka Town Council; Silas Mwasame, an agricultural officer; David Erick Mukhooli, Manafwa district inspector of schools; Joseph Walyaula, secretary of the District Service Commission; Betty Namono, principal human resource officer; Samuel Mandu, district commercial officer; Abdul Maberi, senior human resource officer; Ronald Kigai, parish chief; and Tsekoko Martin, district community development officer.
By press time, the officials who had been arrested had reportedly been taken to Manafwa central police station, while a public rally was due to begin.
The rally was expected to provide details of other district officials recommended for interdiction.
The allegations against the officials have not been proven. Investigations will determine whether the officials committed any offences or administrative breaches, and they are presumed innocent unless found guilty by a competent authority or court.
