Hoima District — The rot in Hoima District Local Government was laid bare today, 10th October 2026, as Minister for Local Government, Hon. Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi, held a marathon public accountability baraza that turned into a floodgate of corruption testimonies.
PDM SACCO Leaders Accused of Eating Shs18 Million
In the Production Department, the most recurring complaint was extortion under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
In Kigorobya Town Council, South West Ward PDM SACCO, chaired by Kijumba Benard and Secretary Baguma John Mary, verification established that out of Shs50 million disbursed to the SACCO account, only 32 beneficiaries received funds. Shs18 million is unaccounted for.
A long list of ghost beneficiaries was read at the baraza — residents of Kikwanana, Kitekura, Kiganja, Waaki, and Kapaapi parishes in Kigorobya, Kiganja and Kapaapi Sub-counties whose names appeared on beneficiary lists but never received a shilling. Victims included Katusiime Ruth, Ndozereho Dickenson, Jackline Afoyo Rwoth and over 15 others who came forward to testify.
In Kyabigambire Sub-county, Kibuugubya PDM SACCO Chairperson Mr. Bulega Abdul is accused of collecting between Shs50,000 and Shs100,000 per person as a bribe to be considered for PDM.
Similar schemes were reported in Buraru Sub-county, where Chairperson Tekereza Sedrack allegedly charged Shs25,000 for “buying data and photocopying” and Busanga PDM SACCO Chairperson Ayesiga Justus charged Shs30,000.
In Buseruka Sub-county, SACCO Chairperson Beditjo Siraj of Nyakabingo SACCO, working with Parish Chief Busozi Dan, is alleged to have collected PDM loan repayments from 2021/2022 beneficiaries — outside the official repayment period — and diverted the cash for personal use.
In Kigorobya, a government primary school teacher, Kajura Godfrey of Kigorobya Moslem P/S, was flagged for receiving PDM in 2025/2026 despite being ineligible as a salaried civil servant.
In a separate case, Parish Chief Monica Katusabe of Kibuugubya, while serving in Buhirigi, Bombo Sub-county, allegedly embezzled Shs2 million from two PDM beneficiaries. The case was reported to Hoima Central Police Station on 17th August 2026. The suspect was remanded and later granted bail.
District Service Commission: Jobs Sold for Shs10m to Shs50m
The most explosive testimonies came from the District Service Commission recruitment conducted between July 2025 and March 6th 2026.
Victims, many willing to testify with bank evidence, narrated how jobs were allegedly auctioned:
- Immaculate Cabacanda, applicant for Economist, says she was directed through LCV Councilor Kiiza Nicholas to Senior Human Resource Officer Munyagire Joel and the LCV Chairperson. She allegedly paid Shs15 million but the job went to another applicant suspected to have paid more.
- Immaculate Kunihira, Assistant Accountant who applied for Finance Officer, says she was asked to pay Shs10 million by the LCV Chairperson Mugisha Uthman Mubarak. She paid via an agent, Hon. Tumusiime Hillary. The job was initially given to the wife of the Senior HR Officer. After she opened a case at Hoima CPS and petitioned higher offices, she was finally given the job. Residents allege that on 2nd October 2026, just a week before Hon. Balaam’s visit, the LCV Chairperson refunded the Shs10m and is now pressuring her to withdraw the case.
- Tumusiime John, who has acted as District Commercial Officer for 7 years, says he was asked for Shs10 million. He failed to raise it. The job was given to Ms. Okoti Milly, but after complaints, the appointment was withheld and the position remains vacant.
- Wandera Fred, acting Sub-county Chief of Buraru, applied for Assistant Town Clerk. He was allegedly asked for Shs10m. The job was given to Karungi Clare, daughter of the Secretary District Service Commission.
- Other victims include District Planner Lydia Asiimwe, Collins Monday of Kabaale, Barinda Henry, Dr. Kwikiriza Magambo Nicholas who was asked for Shs50 million for the District Health Officer job and abandoned Hoima to take the same job in Masindi, and Ayebale Sam who was allegedly asked for Shs27 million for DEO, a job given to an unqualified applicant.
The Alleged Syndicate
According to testimonies presented to Hon. Balaam, the syndicate is allegedly spearheaded by LCV Chairperson Hon. Mugisha Uthman Mubarak, working through agents including LCV councilors Tumusiime Hillary, Mulumba Hellen Opio, and Kiiza Nicholas who collect and deliver cash for commission.
Central to the extortion is Mr. Munyagire Joel, Senior Human Resource Officer. Records show he was interdicted from Kikuube District in 2025 over corruption but was allegedly brought to Hoima in March 2025 under the influence of the LCV Chairperson.
Other officials named include Francis Aryesima, DSC member who allegedly asked Collins Monday for Shs10m, and Kiiza Simon, who is acting as Secretary DSC while his substantive appointment is Sub-county Chief of Kitoba — a position complainants say he does not qualify for as it requires one to be a Principal HR Officer. The substantive, principled Secretary, Busoobozi Francis, was allegedly removed by former CAO Ssempala Emmanuel to pave way for the racket, and efforts to reinstate him by stakeholders and the RDC’s office have been blocked by current CAO Hajjat Sarah Aziz Nakarungi on instruction of the LCV Chairperson.
Since Hoima District was created, no internal advert has ever been made to promote qualifying staff.
Sand Mining and Quarry Money Diverted
The LCV Chairperson and the Hoima RDC, Mr. Mbabazi Rodgers, are also accused of directly collecting Shs200,000 per truck from sand miners RD Millers and Transmission at Mbegu A village, Mbegu Parish, Kabaale Sub-county, to help them evade district revenue.
After learning of Hon. Balaam’s visit, the LCV Chairperson allegedly turned blame to District Natural Resource Officer Nyangoma Joseline, accusing her of taking money for 11 land titles, in what residents say is an attempt to silence her on the sand and stone quarry in Kyakasato village, Haibale Parish.
To frustrate her, the Chairperson allegedly deployed his relatives — Ahura Shiba in the forest revenue collection and Musinguzi Dickson as accountant for Natural Resources.
Police Also on Spot
Even Hoima Central Police Station was mentioned. Crime Intelligence Officer Ambition Aryatwihayo is alleged to have extorted Shs1.5 million from HR Officer Munyagire after a general inquiry file GEF 008/2026 was opened over the DSC recruitment extortion. He is also accused of leaking CID information to suspects for money.
On 23rd July 2026, he allegedly extorted money from a Chinese national, Goa Lia Cheng, accused of sexual harassment, creating a parallel file No. 23/06/07/2026 unknown to the DPC and DCID and hiding it after receiving money.
