SIRONKO – As Hon. Barugahara Balaam takes the “Expose the Corrupt” campaign to Sironko District today, September 16, 2026, a formal complaint from Bumulisha Sub-County has placed the District Engineering and Works Department under the spotlight.
The elected LCV Councilor representing Bumulisha Sub-County has lodged a formal complaint over the alleged failure to implement budgeted road works for two consecutive financial years, despite allocation of funds.
The complaint details three road projects where taxpayers’ money is allegedly not reflected on the ground:
- Sambuko-Buwagama Road – FY 2024/2025
A total budget of UGX 87,000,000 was allocated. According to the Councilor, to date no work has been executed on the ground and the road remains in a deplorable state. - Wolimbwa-Sambuko-Buwagama Road (2km) – FY 2025/2026
A budget of UGX 69,000,000 was drawn from the UGX 1 Billion government road grant for this stretch. The Councilor alleges the work done is substandard, with only basic shaping conducted. Critical works such as culvert installations and murram placement were completely omitted, and the current physical width of the road is significantly smaller than specified in the Bills of Quantities (BOQs). - Bumulisha-Nanangoli Road (3.2km)
Budgeted at UGX 73,600,000, the dossier states that works were done but remain incomplete.
“The taxpayers’ resources are being spent without reflecting any value on the ground, leaving our community cut off and hurting local economic activity,” the coucilor said.
The timing of the petition is strategic. Minister Balaam’s nationwide anti-corruption campaign has already covered Bulambuli, Namisindwa, Mbale District and Mbale City, with Sironko, Bududa and Manafwa listed as the next districts to be inspected.
In his urgent prayer to the Minister, the Bumulisha Councilor has requested that Hon. Balaam include a physical site visit and inspection of the three specific roads in his itinerary.
“We want you to witness firsthand how government resources have been mismanaged,”.
Residents in neighbouring Bududa have said they are ready to use the minister’s visit to report similar cases, including alleged extortion for Parish Development Model funds and ghost learners in schools.
Minister Balaam is expected to hold a public baraza in Sironko, inspect projects, and receive complaints from residents regarding alleged corruption, abuse of office and poor service delivery.
