Balaam orders interdiction of 42 Kanungu District officials

What the report says

Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara has ordered the interdiction of 42 civil servants in Kanungu District, Uganda, following allegations of corruption, extortion, abuse of office and causing financial loss to government. The action was reported by The Independent Uganda and announced during a public baraza at Kihihi Playground in Kihihi Town Council on Tuesday evening.

Those named in the report include Chief Administrative Officer Abdallah Awuye, former Senior District Engineer Eric Sivaseya Mutumba, District Inspector of Schools Erasmus Tuyishime, District Community Development Officer Ezra Ndizeye, District Principal Human Resource Officer Doreen Rukundo and District Procurement Officer Elisa Mujuni. Barugahara said the officials were linked to covert investigations covering absenteeism, forgery, sale of government property and poor-quality public works.

The minister also alleged that Awuye and other officials were involved in misuse of road-work funds, pressure on job seekers to pay money, and illegal demands tied to school examinations and ambulance services. In separate actions, he ordered the transfer of two police officers at Kanungu Police Station over alleged bribery related to canine services, and handed over Deputy Resident District Commissioner Gad Ahimbisibwe Rugaaju to police and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit after complaints from residents.

The Kanungu measures are part of a broader anti-corruption drive across the Kigezi sub-region, where the minister has also ordered interdictions in Kabale, Rukiga and Kisoro districts. The report says he was expected to continue the campaign in Rukungiri District next.