Seven Rukiga District Officials Arrested During Minister Balaam's Anti-Corruption Tour

Seven key officials in Rukiga District, including a former sub-county leader, have been placed under arrest following allegations of corruption and failure to account for public funds. The arrests took place during an accountability meeting hosted by State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, at the Rukiga District headquarters.

The meeting marked the launch of the minister’s anti-corruption tour across the Kigezi sub-region, which forms part of the broader nationwide “Expose the Corrupt” campaign aimed at enhancing public accountability and service delivery.

Among those detained were principal human resource officer Nicholas Kananura, chief finance officer Bruce Turyamushangayo, district education officer Christopher Ndyabegyera, and district water engineer Evans Bangirana. Others include district engineer Deogratious Mutabazi, district fisheries officer Richard Sajabi, and former Rwamucucu Sub-county LCIII chairperson Eddy Mugisha.

Minister Barugahara highlighted several financial irregularities during the session, pointing to questionable procurement practices such as the purchase of 90 chairs at roughly Shs950,000 each through a Kabale-based firm during the 2025/2026 financial year. He also raised concerns over alleged mismanagement of funds meant for road rehabilitation, noting that projects like the Nyakanengo–Nyakasiru, Bukinda–Rwakijuma, and Nyaruhanga–Kahama roads received substantial funding but suffered from substandard execution, missing murram, and improper drainage.

In addition to infrastructure concerns, Rukiga Resident District Commissioner Zadock Kamusiime flagged issues of extortion linked to the implementation of the Parish Development Model. Meanwhile, Rukiga District LC5 Chairperson Simon Mutebi Rwamagyenda pushed back against the arrests, questioning the political motivations behind the campaign and urging the minister to rely on thorough independent investigations rather than unverified local reports.

Read the full report on Nile Post.