Four Mitooma District officials arrested over corruption

The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has arrested four officials of Mitooma District local government over employment irregularities.

In the statement issued on Monday, the spokesperson of the Inspectorate, Ms Muniira Ali identified the arrested officials as Amon Byamugisha, the Senior Human Resource Officer, Saverinus Beyendeza, the Community Development Officer, Onesmus Agaba, the Human Resource Officer and the Community Development Officer Sarah Kiconco.

According to Ms Muniira, the inspectorate received a complaint in which it was alleged that Mitooma District Service Commission advertised several jobs in February 2018, and the exercise was marred with irregularities.

This led to an investigation that has resulted into the arrest of the four officials. She said actions of corruption reported all took place in April 2018.

Findings from investigations indicate that Byamugisha corruptly sought gratification of Shs2.5 million from Keleth Atamba as an inducement to get him a job as a Procurement Officer of Mitooma District Local Government.

The same official is said to have received gratification of Shs1.5milliom on his phone number from Atamba in April 2018 to secure him the same job.

Another official Beyendiza is said to have sought a Shs2 million bribe from Sarah Kiconco so as to secure her a job as a Community Development Officer of Mitooma District Local Government in April 2018.

Agaaba, a Human Resource Officer of Mitooma District Local Government is also said to have offered gratification of more than Shs2 million to Byamugisha as an inducement to secure him a job as a Human Resource Officer of the District Local Government.

According to the statement, the money was sent to Byamugisha’s MTN phone number as well.

Another official Sarah Kiconco is also accused of offering Shs2 million to Saverinus Beyendeza, Community Development Officer of Mitooma District Local Government on his MTN phone number as an inducement to secure her a job as a Human Resource Officer of the District Local Government.

All the four shall be charged with Corruption according to Ms Munila. They are expected to appear before the anti-corruption on Tuesday, October 8, for plea taking.

Mr Tayebwa Thomas, Member of Parliament for Ruhinda North in Mitooma District condemned acts of corruption in the district, saying the perpetrators should not be given a second chance.
"Corruption must be fought from all angles by all people. To me, anyone asking bribes from our young people should rot in prison,” he said.