The arrests followed allegations of mismanagement of public funds, irregular procurement and poor road works, while the district chairperson questioned whether the minister’s campaign was politically motivated.
Seven Rukiga District officials, including a former LCIII chairperson, have been arrested over alleged corruption and failure to account for government funds.
The arrests were made during an accountability meeting convened by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara at Rukiga District headquarters, marking the start of his anti-corruption tour of the Kigezi sub-region.
Those arrested are Nicholas Kananura, the principal human resource officer; Bruce Turyamushangayo, the chief finance officer; Christopher Ndyabegyera, the district education officer; and Evans Bangirana, the district water engineer.
Others are Deogratious Mutabazi, the district engineer; Richard Sajabi, the district fisheries officer; and Eddy Mugisha, the former LCIII chairperson of Rwamucucu Sub-county.
According to officials, the arrests followed concerns about the management of public resources allocated to the district.
Balaam said the arrests were part of the nationwide “Expose the Corrupt” campaign, which he said was aimed at strengthening accountability and improving the delivery of government programmes.
Citing alleged irregularities in procurement and road rehabilitation, Barugahara questioned the purchase of 90 chairs at Shs950,000 each during the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year.
He said the procurement was handled by Paul Kangwegye Company Limited, based in Kabale Municipality, and cited a budget provision of Shs995,000 per chair.
Balaam also alleged that Shs 120 million allocated for the rehabilitation of the Nyakanengo–Nyakasiru road during the same quarter had been misappropriated.
“Only grading was done, yet the scope of works included spot grading, gravelling and drainage works,” Balaam said.
He also questioned the rehabilitation of the five-kilometre Bukinda–Rwakijuma road, for which he said Shs 110 million had been released during the third quarter of the financial year. According to the minister, only grading had been done, without the addition of murram.
“Shs 165 million was released for the rehabilitation of the eight-kilometre Nyaruhanga–Kahama road. The road is narrow with no murram; it can be washed away when it rains,” Barugahara said.
Rukiga Resident District Commissioner Zadock Kamusiime raised concerns about alleged extortion in the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM), a government programme intended to move households into the money economy.
However, Rukiga District LC5 Chairperson Simon Mutebi Rwamagyenda described the anti-corruption campaign as politically motivated.
He urged Balaam to conduct independent investigations before acting on information provided by residents, whom he said could have political motives or supply inaccurate information.
Minister Balaam is expected to continue his anti-corruption tour across the Kigezi sub-region, with Kabale District scheduled as the next stop.