national 24 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Busia Graft Crackdown: Minister Orders Arrests Over 'Ghost Pupils' and Negligence
Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara has ordered the arrest of several officials in Busia District following an anti-graft campaign that uncovered significant discrepancies in pupil enrolment figures and widespread negligence in public services. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/balaam-uncovers-ghost-pupils-orders-arrests-in-busia-graft-crackdown-5608168
Minister Balaam Barugahara has launched a stern anti-corruption drive in Busia District, leading to the arrest of numerous officials and exposing serious mismanagement of public funds and resources. The campaign, themed “Expose the Corrupt,” highlighted alarming discrepancies in primary school pupil enrolments, suggesting a significant loss of government funds through non-existent students.
During a headcount, it was discovered that Busia District had registered 72,736 pupils, while the Ministry of Education and Sports had been provided with figures totalling 86,316, indicating a deficit of 13,580 pupils. In Busia Municipality alone, the discrepancy was 5,068 pupils. With the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program disbursing Shs20,000 per pupil per term, the district could be losing approximately Shs400 million each term, or Shs1.2 billion annually.
In response to these findings, Minister Barugahara ordered the immediate arrest of the Busia District Education Officer, Anthony Wanyama, along with officials from the municipal education department who were absent from a key meeting. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Accountant General’s office have been tasked with investigating the matter.
The crackdown extended beyond education. The Town Clerk, Leonard Katunda Mukulu, was arrested for failing to ensure basic facilities like functioning toilets at Busia Market. Additionally, the Deputy Town Clerk, Johnson Wafuba, and eleven other district workers were apprehended over alleged corruption in procurement, medical, and community services departments. Concerns were also raised about the incomplete installation of solar streetlights and the deteriorating state of the Shs24.5 billion market, which reportedly lacks electricity and running water.
Further investigations revealed alleged overcharging under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) program at Busia Secondary School, leading to the arrest of the acting deputy head teacher. Shoddy construction work was also noted at Sikuda Seed Secondary School, despite a substantial government investment. The minister also questioned the Resident District Commissioner’s office regarding the supervision of government programs and the commissioning of non-existent road projects.
While some local leaders, including the Busia Mayor, suggested the findings were politically motivated, Minister Barugahara maintained the authenticity of the reports and emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring efficient service delivery.