By Joseph Kiggundu
The Ministry of Local Government has ordered the Ntungamo Chief Administrative Officer to interdict 22 district officials over abuse of office and mismanagement of public resources.
The affected officials include eight heads of departments.
The ministry has also directed the Ntungamo Municipal Town Clerk to interdict five senior municipal officials to pave the way for investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other government agencies.
In a letter dated October 19, 2026, addressed to the Ntungamo CAO, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr Benjamin Kumumanya, said the decision followed complaints raised by residents during a visit to the district by the Minister for Local Government, Mr Raphael Magyezi?
The complaints were reportedly raised during a series of meetings, including a public gathering attended by the minister.
“The issues raised against the officers in the meeting included gross negligence of duty, abuse of office, mismanagement of public resources and possible financial impropriety, among others, which have greatly compromised service delivery in the municipality/district,” Mr Kumumanya wrote.
Among the district officials listed for interdiction are Chief Finance Officer Lawrence Bitwiromunda, District Education Officer Denis Ntare, Community Development Officer Ambrose Tusiime, Principal Internal Auditor Caleb Natusiima, District Service Commission secretary David Katusiime, Principal Assistant Secretary Gerald Niwagaba and Senior Internal Auditor Ezra Kwesigamukama.
Others named are Principal Assistant Town Clerk Emmanuel Byamukama, Senior Procurement Officer Moses Makfu, Senior Assistant Secretary Phionah Kabakinda, Senior Finance Officer Arthur Mwebesa, District Water Officer Prosper Butubuura, accountants Beston Bashaija and Asa Mwebesa, Timson Ayesiga, Sam Tukesiga, Leonard Tibandeba, Fred Mwima, Moses Twine, Johnson Rukundo and Aloysios Twine.
In Ntungamo Municipality, the five officials listed are Municipal Inspector of Schools Gladyce Turigye, Municipal Engineer Fred Tumusiime, Municipal Accountant Bannex Nuwamanya, Municipal Education Officer Gordon Nabaasa and Assistant Engineer Frank Ankunzire.
“Accordingly, it has been decided that the above-mentioned officers be interdicted to pave way for investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other government agencies,” the letter reads.
The interdictions are likely to affect the district’s administrative capacity, with eight of the officials listed being heads of departments or having served in those positions. The district is therefore expected to remain with only three heads of departments.
The Ministry of Local Government’s assessment of district performance considers the availability of substantive heads of departments, with staffing gaps potentially affecting district funding.
During a meeting on October 14, Mr Barugahara also ordered the suspension of the District Service Commission over alleged irregular recruitment, including the appointment of people who did not meet the required qualifications and alleged favouritism in hiring.
“Public service standing orders state that for anyone to be on U3, must have been on U4 at least for three years in public service. You recruited several individuals, including senior treasurer Rwentobo/Rwahi Town Council to U3, senior assistant secretaries Nyarutuntu, Ruhaama, Rubaare to U3, well knowing that they had never served in offices employed by a service commission,” he said.
Ntungamo District has in the past decade faced scrutiny over alleged corruption, including cases in which the State House Anti-Corruption Unit reportedly discovered ghost workers and entities on the district payroll.
The Inspectorate of Government has also investigated several cases involving district officials, some of which have resulted in arrests and court proceedings.