Local Government PS Interdicts Eight Masindi Officials Over Corruption Allegations

What the report says

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Ben Kumumanya has ordered eight Masindi district and municipal officials to step aside while corruption-related investigations are carried out. According to Nile Post, the move covers staff accused of abuse of office, selling government jobs and causing financial loss to the government.

The officials named in the directive include district engineer Joseph Sunday, district production officer Fred David Ssebugizi, district service commission secretary Angella Nyandera, district water officer Alfred Ocheing, and community development officer Patience Ayesiga. The municipal officers affected are treasurer John Kasaija, health officer Godfrey Milimu and works supervisor Robert Magezi. The order was addressed to the district chief administrative officer and the municipal town clerk.

The report says the interdictions follow complaints raised at a meeting convened by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara in Masindi on October 7, during his visit under the government’s anti-corruption drive. Complainants alleged they had been asked to pay money for public jobs but did not get the positions. One woman reportedly told the meeting she was asked to pay for a job at Masindi Municipal Council. The allegations have not been proven, and the step-aside decision is meant to allow the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other agencies to investigate.

The case adds to a wider crackdown on suspected corruption in local government, an issue that has frequently surfaced in Uganda’s district administrations and public service recruitment processes.