NO SACRED COWS: Balam, Nameere and Kumumanya’s New Frontline Against Local Government Graft

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reports that Uganda’s Ministry of Local Government is intensifying its anti-corruption drive in local governments, with State Minister Balam Barugahara, Hon. Justine Nameere and Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya presented as part of a broader push for accountability. The article says the ministry’s approach is aimed at making public service more transparent and less vulnerable to malpractice, especially in recruitment, procurement and financial management.

The clearest recent example cited is Mbale City, where a ministry communication dated 22 July 2026 directed the interdiction of four officials so investigations could proceed. The named officers include engineers, a health officer and a planner. According to the report, the allegations involve gross negligence, abuse of office, misuse of public resources and possible financial impropriety. The ministry said the action was taken under the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021, and was intended to support investigations rather than establish guilt.

The report also highlights a 3 July 2026 circular from the ministry warning chief administrative officers and town clerks about ongoing complaints tied to recruitment abuse and “job selling” in local government. Kumumanya is said to have ordered local leaders to back action against officials implicated in malpractice, submit monthly recruitment reports and ensure job adverts include a corruption-free statement. The piece frames these steps as part of Uganda’s wider challenge of making decentralised government deliver visible services such as roads, schools, health care and fair hiring.