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Sheema district LC5 chairperson Jemimah Buhanda
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By Our Reporter
Sheema
Stakeholders in Sheema District have called for a thorough investigation into alleged corruption involving the district leadership. While addressing journalists at Mayor's Gardens in Sheema Municipality on Monday, July 22, 2025, a group of leaders—led by Sam Kahindi, the former Chairperson of the Sheema District Service Commission—accused LC5 Chairperson Jemimah Tumwijukye Buhanda of mismanaging UGX 400 million meant for the construction of the district headquarters.
Sam Kahindi
In the 2023/24 financial year, the government allocated UGX 800 million for the construction of both the district and municipal council headquarters. However, to date, construction of the district headquarters has stalled at the foundation level, and UGX 400 million remains unaccounted for. Kahindi accused Buhanda of failing to supervise the project, allegedly enabling the embezzlement of the allocated funds.
“She failed to involve the UPDF Engineering Brigade, which was supposed to undertake the work. Instead, private contractors were brought in, and the money was misused,” he alleged.
Cadre Mucunguzi in yellow welcomes Gen Kakari at the meeting
In contrast, construction of the Sheema Municipality headquarters, which was handled by the UPDF Engineering Brigade, has progressed smoothly and is currently at the first-floor level.
Geoffrey Mucunguzi Cadre, the former Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Ntungamo, also accused the LC5 Chairperson of orchestrating the illegal sale of public property.
“She sold off the entire district forest in Rubare, Sheema Central Division—a forest of over 15 hectares—for just UGX 68 million. Each tree was sold at only UGX 700,” Mucunguzi said.
“She also sanctioned the sale of district livestock—cattle and goats—that were being kept at the Rubaare farm.”
Sheema municipal council headquarters
Mucunguzi further questioned how Buhanda's son, Allan Karakure Buhanda, the former Sheema District Commercial Officer who was previously accused of embezzling Emyooga funds, managed to secure a new government job.
“He left Sheema under a cloud of scandal after allegedly stealing money meant for the Emyooga program. Yet he somehow got a job in Mbarara City as the City Commercial Officer,” Mucunguzi added.
“Now he has returned with huge sums of money to bribe voters and campaign for his mother. We cannot accept that level of impunity.”
He called on the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SACHU) to intervene and arrest all those implicated in the scandal. “As stakeholders, we cannot sit back and watch our district be looted. We demand action,” he emphasized.
Brigadier (Rtd) Joram Tumwine Kakari accused Buhanda of colluding with the district service commission to sell public jobs. “I am a retired General. I don’t wish to engage in politics against her, but I want our people to receive proper services,” he said.
“We went to the bush and fought for this country. We can’t keep quiet as our district is destroyed by incompetent and corrupt leaders.”
Brigadier General Kakari Tumwine speaking during a press briefing
Kakari also accused the LC5 Chairperson of becoming intolerant to criticism and failing to consult with district leaders. “She has become a dictator. No leader—not even her own councillors—can question her decisions,” he said. “That is not the kind of leadership we fought for.”
He further revealed that the Parliamentary Committee on Public Service and Local Government visited the construction site, but no report has been produced since.
Sheema District building has stalled
In response to the allegations, Sheema District LC5 Chairperson Jemimah Tumwijukye Buhanda dismissed the claims as politically motivated. “Those making these allegations are only trying to tarnish my name to gain political mileage ahead of the next elections,” she said.
“There is no truth to these claims.”
Despite her response, the stakeholders vowed to pursue the matter until the relevant authorities take action.
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