MBARARA – The Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has ordered the immediate arrest and interdiction of three senior Mbarara City officials over the alleged mismanagement of public funds.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The directive, issued on Tuesday, August 4, targets City Clerk Justine Barekye, her deputy Simon Ejua, and Procurement Officer Dina Mwije.
The trio has been handed over to the police to record statements and has been directed to vacate their offices immediately pending the completion of investigations.
Minister Barugahara, who is currently on the ground in Mbarara to assess service delivery, issued the directive as part of a broader effort to strengthen accountability and curb the misuse of public resources in local governments.
The action comes amid increased government scrutiny of local entities over procurement practices and the implementation of government programs.
The campaign, led by Minister Barugahara and State Minister Justine Nameere, has been sweeping through various districts, uncovering payroll fraud, ghost workers, and inflated project figures.
President Yoweri Museveni has supported the initiative, which aims to recover stolen public funds and restore confidence in local governments. However, the hands-on approach has not been without its critics.
Mbarara City Mayor Robert Kakyebezi recently pushed back against the minister’s methods, arguing that the minister should supervise rather than personally lead investigations.
Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has also publicly voiced reservations about the heavy reliance on arrests and interdictions as the primary weapon in the fight against corruption, suggesting that preventative mechanisms and systemic reforms might offer more sustainable solutions.
Despite the criticism, the minister remains undeterred, stating that the crackdown is necessary to ensure that public resources are utilized effectively for the benefit of the country.
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