Kabale, — The Kigezi anti-corruption tour led by Hon. Balaam today reached Kabale District Headquarters, where he chaired a meeting that brought together district leaders, technical staff, and residents.
Residents and leaders raised the following issues which have now been forwarded to the State House Anti Corruption Unit, the Inspectorate of Government, and the Ministry of Local Government for investigation:
- Human Resource Management and Ghost Workers – Three Billion Shillings Loss Alleged
- Recruitment of staff not on the approved structure, especially science scale positions, causing financial loss to government. The Principal Human Resource Officer and District Human Resource Officer held responsible.
- Ghost workers inserted into the district payroll with accounts opened to divert funds. The Principal Human Resource Officer, Chief Finance Officer and Principal Auditor held responsible.
- Ghost pensioners: Loss of up to three billion shillings to government through payments to ghost pensioners and ghost workers. Information Technology Officer Tobias was alleged to be responsible for creation of fake supplier numbers.
- Former Principal Internal Auditor now Chief Executive Officer allegedly retained system rights and approved payments to ghost workers in nursery beds and forestry.
- Illegal appointments: Principal Internal Auditor allegedly lied to the appointing board about previous work experience in Mubende and Sheema.
- Unfair termination of staff without fair hearing, declaring staff dead to claim their pension, nepotism where jobs are given to one specific family of the Principal Human Resource Officer, and parish chiefs with no proper qualifications.
This comes as Kabale Chief Administrative Officer Robert Mugabe confirmed last week that the Inspectorate of Government is already investigating 42 ghost pensioners in Kabale, and ordered a physical headcount of over 4,000 civil servants.
- Kabale Central Market – The Landlord Question
The meeting revisited the long-running Kabale Central Market saga:
- Allegations that the Mayor owns 20 lockups in the market under different names. Other government workers mentioned include District Auditor, Town Clerk, Inspector and Market Master. State House Anti Corruption Unit and District Internal Security Officer to confirm ownership.
- Town Clerk of Karese Town Council, identified as Kasaya Jamil, allegedly took fifteen million shillings for a Probation Officer job offer, returned only five million and remained with ten million.
- A case in court about the central market: At the time vendors were issued occupational permits, the Council did not have a land title for where the market is located. Council only got the title about ten years later. Members were advised to seek legal guidance from the Attorney General.
- Ministry of Local Government guided that occupational permits and leases must be differentiated.
- Roads and Engineering
- Mismanagement of road funds for repairs and Embezzlement on Roads – thirty four million shillings requisitioned. Chief Finance Officer and District Engineer mentioned.
- A 15 kilometer road: District Engineer worked only three days and abandoned the road.
- District Engineer allegedly sells government equipment, sand, murram and keeps requisitioning for the same items each financial year – about one billion shillings.
- Appointment of District Engineer questioned – does not qualify for the post, recommended for retirement in public interest.
- Water, Education and Transport
- Water Engineer interdicted for refusing to approve a water project that had no design and was against ministry guidance. Money returned to treasury less fifty five million and twenty eight million shillings unaccounted.
- Guramba-Kirimo Gravity Water Scheme and Mukokora Water Gravity Scheme Financial Year 2024/2025: All funds blown with no works on ground, council never approved due to interests of Local Council Five Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer.
- Building Sector: Kakoba Seed Secondary School – contractor paid fully but works incomplete and shoddy. Former Chief Administrative Officer Assiimwe John, Local Council Five Chairperson and District Engineer held responsible.
- Transport: One hundred fifty million shillings mechanical losses, funds to buy engine for Chief Administrative Officer car – car not operational. Most district fleet grounded in garage affecting service delivery.
- Natural Resources and Environment
- Natural Resources Officer processed six acres of government land title but left five acres for private use, alleged attempt to steal land next to the stadium. Kitumba Sub-county land also mentioned.
- Sale of public land by surveyor.
- Environment Management Officer allegedly collects illegal fees from farmers with titles in wetlands and cuts growing crops inhumanely – recommended for interdiction.
- Other Issues
- Mismanagement of heifers donated by His Excellency the President under United Nations Development Programme.
- Principal Agricultural Officer – Mismanagement of funds for microscale irrigation – one hundred ninety two million shillings loss.
- Uganda Police – Roadblocks on highways, especially cattle traders at Katuna – Officer in Charge and District Police Commander allegedly extort money from traders.
