How UGX 149M Disability Election Cash Sparked Pallisa Anti-corruption Storm

What the report says

Pallisa District became the focus of a high-profile anti-corruption intervention after Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi visited the area on a countrywide oversight tour and held meetings with district officials and residents. According to Dokolo Post, the minister spent several hours reviewing allegations against local staff before publicly escalating the matter at Busitema University playground, where he ordered the arrest of Resident District Commissioner Magid Dhikusooka.

The report says the case centers on Shs149 million released by the NRM Secretariat to support transport for persons with disability to polling stations ahead of the 2026 elections. The minister cited a report alleging that the funds were irregularly shared among district NRM leaders. Dhikusooka rejected the accusations, saying he had not been involved and that the issue was already under police investigation. Former Agule County MP David Ochwa also appeared in the dispute, alleging that Dhikusooka took a large share of the money.

Dokolo Post further reported that the district officer in charge of criminal investigations, Hamdan Bwogye, was also arrested over claims of charging money for police bond, which should be free. Residents and local leaders raised additional complaints about extortion, mishandled cases and abuse of office. The minister said the files had been handed to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and police, framing Pallisa as a test of accountability and warning that no official would be shielded from investigation.