MITOOMA
Three Mitooma District officials have been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court on charges of abuse of office, neglect of duty and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The officials were arraigned by the Inspectorate of Government (IG), working in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). They have been remanded until September 16, 2026.
The accused are Eng. Tumusiime Geofrey, the District Water Officer and Project Supervisor; Barungi Peace Gloria, the District Education Officer and Project Manager; and Kwijuka Frank, a Clinical Officer and the In-Charge of Bitereko Health Centre IV.
The charges arise from separate incidents involving the alleged mismanagement of public resources and neglect of official duties.
Officials accused over school renovation project
Prosecution alleges that between January and July 2026, Tumusiime and Barungi, together with other individuals still at large, abused their respective offices in the implementation of a renovation project for a three-classroom block at Rutaka Primary School.
According to the investigations, the two officials approved Interim Payment Certificate No. 1 and Payment Certificate No. 2, indicating that the works were 68 per cent and 100 per cent complete, respectively.
However, investigators allege that the actual state of the works on the ground did not correspond with the levels of completion indicated in the payment certificates.
The two officials are further accused of authorising the payment of Shs40,952,136 to Ruhinda Technical Services Limited for the renovation works before the project was completed.
The prosecution alleges that the action caused financial loss to Mitooma District Local Government.
Health centre official accused of neglecting duty
In a separate case, Kwijuka Frank, while serving as the In-Charge of Bitereko Health Centre IV, is accused of neglecting his duties between July 2025 and March 2026.
Investigations allegedly found that Kwijuka abused his office by approving and authorising payments to himself without independent approval and adequate supporting documentation.
The prosecution alleges that the payments were made contrary to established procedures governing the authorisation of public funds.
Part of anti-corruption campaign
The arraignments form part of the ongoing "Expose the Corrupt" campaign, spearheaded by Minister of State for Local Government Hon. Balaam Barugahara, aimed at holding public officials accountable for the management of public resources and delivery of services to citizens.
The three officials will return to court on September 16, 2026.
The allegations against the accused have not been proven in court, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
