Deputy IGG, Ms. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, during a monitoring exercise in Busoga last year. PHOTO | TAUSI NAKATO
Records from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) reveal that a total of Shs7.1 billion was swindled from a number of districts in the Busoga sub-region, which has long been described as one of the poorest areas in Uganda. According to the IGG reports, this money went missing from district accounts over the last seven years under unclear circumstances.
The districts of Kaliro, Bugiri, and Iganga have been specifically implicated in the scandal, with reports detailing how government funds were misappropriated by individuals.
In Kaliro District alone, Shs5.8 billion was embezzled by three officials. The culprits included Godfrey Mutome, the former Kaliro Chief Finance Officer, John Wabwire, the District Accountant, and Rebecca Kwagala, the Principal Personnel Officer. Investigations by the IGG revealed that the trio used the Kaliro Civil Servants Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (SACCO) to falsely claim loan repayments for civil servants, while actually embezzling the funds.
“Investigations conducted by Inspectorate of Government , Kaliro officials deducted money from the district account under the guise of servicing loans for civil servants in their Sacco but embezzled the same,’’ said a report signed by Deputy IGG, Ms Anne Twinomugisha.
Mr Rogers Kiduma, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Kaliro, confirmed that the Shs5.8 billion was withdrawn by the accused officials, adding that the disappearance of these funds has severely hindered district development. “This money was stolen and has not been returned. It has worsened poverty in the area as projects, including road construction and health services, have been paralyzed,” Kiduma said.
In Bugiri District, Shs1.3 billion was misappropriated through engineering works, with the IGG particularly pointing to Mr Samson Elliot Mugoya, the Bugiri Municipality Superintendent of Works, as a key figure in the embezzlement. The money was misused through unexecuted roadworks, ghost purchases, and unwarranted allowances.
Mr Mugoya, along with Godfrey Balinaine, the Engineering Assistant, and Ronald Lwanga, the Senior Land Management Officer, were implicated in the scheme. According to documents obtained by Daily Monitor, Mr Mugoya authorised funds for fuel, allowances, and protective gear, including gumboots and reflectors, which were never used in roadworks.
The IGG has ordered Mr Mugoya to repay all the misappropriated funds and face disciplinary action by the District Service Commission. In a letter dated July 10, 2024, the IGG instructed that he be held accountable for causing financial loss to the district and be required to refund the stolen money to the Bank of Uganda.
Despite these directives, Mr Mugoya denied receiving any communication from the IGG regarding his involvement, saying, “I am not aware of any report from the IGG pinning me.”
Mr Ronald Lwanga was also implicated for claiming payments for land surveying, an activity already covered by his salary. He, too, was ordered to refund the money and face disciplinary action.
In Iganga District, the District Education Officer, Mr Baker Kasadhakawo, was accused of buying textbooks worth Shs20 million using government funds and diverting them to Mariam Memorial Primary School, which he owns. Mr Kasadhakawo denied the accusations but has been instructed by the IGG to reimburse the funds.
Mr Fredrick Komakech, the Busoga Sub-region Inspectorate Officer, stated that some suspects from the reports have already been committed to the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala. He also confirmed that efforts to recover the stolen funds are underway.
“We are steadily recovering money from these individuals, as some have agreed to repay after being taken to court,” Mr Komakech said, urging the public to abandon the practice of embezzling public funds, highlighting that the government has established offices dedicated to recovering stolen money without bias.
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