Rubanda District Officials Under Investigation Over Public Project Defects

Sixteen officials from the Rubanda District Local Government have been forwarded to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to face formal investigations. The directive comes after concerns were raised regarding financial losses and the questionable quality of publicly funded infrastructure in the district.

State Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara initiated the referral during his anti-corruption tour across the Kigezi Sub-region. His inspections focused heavily on assessing value for money and the overall standard of service delivery in government-backed projects.

The minister’s tour began at the Bugiri Crossing Bridge located in Kakore Parish, Hamurwa Sub-county, before proceeding to other key sites including Karukara Market and Rubanda General Hospital. At the Bugiri Crossing Bridge—a project reportedly completed at a cost of Shs85 million—Barugahara expressed serious doubts about the durability of the structure, particularly when subjected to heavy seasonal rainfall.

Inspections revealed notable defects such as cracks in the concrete, poorly bonded stones, and soil accumulation along the water channels. These shortcomings prompted immediate scrutiny regarding the construction materials utilized and the overall standard of workmanship, raising doubts over whether the infrastructure could adequately serve the community.

Finance Minister Henry Musasizi voiced strong support for the ongoing anti-corruption campaign throughout the Kigezi Sub-region, labeling the heightened oversight as long overdue. Musasizi emphasized the critical need to guarantee value for money across all government initiatives and to reinforce accountability surrounding public expenditures.

While the referral places the district administration under intense scrutiny, authorities noted that the action does not automatically establish guilt or prove that financial loss occurred. Further investigations will determine the extent of any irregularities and whether specific individuals bear responsibility. Minister Barugahara is scheduled to continue his inspection tour in Kanungu and Rukungiri districts as part of broader government efforts to tighten accountability.

For more details on this developing story, read the original report on Nile Post.