Mitooma District Officials Remanded for Alleged Shs45 Million Road Fund Misuse

Three officials from the Mitooma District Local Government are facing serious charges in the Anti-Corruption Court for their alleged involvement in the diversion of public funds designated for road works. The accused, identified as Acting District Engineer John Baptist Tumwebaze, District Road Inspector Franklin Mandela, and Sector Accountant Lydia Aheereza, have been remanded until October 16, 2026.

The charges leveled against the trio include abuse of office, conspiracy to commit a crime, diversion of public resources, causing financial loss, embezzlement, and making false claims. Prosecution asserts that between June 17 and June 30, 2026, these officials allegedly diverted Shs31,162,400 of the allocated funds.

This money was reportedly earmarked for the mechanical removal of bottlenecks on four key district roads: Katwe–Karangara–Karimbiro, Kirambi–Kirera–Ruziizi, Omuribiri–Nyakizinga–Mutaka, and Kyanzaire–Bukuba. The prosecution claims the diverted funds were for fuel that was never supplied and for allowances related to work that was never performed.

Consequently, the government is alleged to have suffered a total financial loss of Shs45,066,400 due to these actions. The arrests were a result of investigations initiated under the ‘Expose the Corrupt National Campaign,’ a government initiative aimed at curbing corruption within local administrations and enhancing accountability, spearheaded by the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara.

The case is proceeding, with the accused presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Source: Nile Post