Buhweju reinstates tractor operator fired for shunning corruption

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Buhweju district tractor operator Vincent Muhumuza, who was dismissed by the district engineer after reportedly refusing to sanction an alleged corrupt deal, has been reinstated.

Local government minister Balaam Barugahara disclosed this on August 19, 2026.

At the time, he was appearing before members of parliament (MPs) on the Public Service Committee, chaired by Herbert Edmund Ariko (Gweri County, NRM). Present were local government state minister Justine Nameere and permanent secretary Ben Kumumanya.

Permanent Secretary (PS) Ben Kumumanya, the State Minister for Local Government, Justine Nameere and minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara before the committee on Public Service and Local Government at parliament on August 19, 2026. (Photo by Maria Wamala)

“I sent a letter to PS (Kumumanya) to ensure that the man is reinstated and we recommend him for a medal. Maybe one of these days, we should inform the President (Yoweri Museveni). That man deserves a medal,” Barugahara hinted.

Speaking to New Vision on the sidelines of the meeting, he explained that the trouble stemmed from sh96 million that was purportedly allocated towards clearing a community road. However, while the endeavour, including other costs, amounted to only sh6 million, the LC5 chairperson reportedly ordered Muhumuza to sign accountability documents for sh96 million.

“The man (Muhumuza) was fired without trial. Chairman told the CAO (chief administrative officer) to just send that man away,” Barugahara wondered.

Barugahara says Ssembabule corruption unprecedented

Minister Barugahara said that was only the tip of the iceberg of corruption, describing what he encountered in Ssembabule as unprecedented.

“In Buganda, a district called Ssembabule, that is the home of impunity. In Ssembabule, the President put a fund of sh500 million to support the peasantry, and cattle farmers get land titles. What the sharp people did they ate the money of the President, and on top of that, they were charging Ssembabule residents money to get titles. They collected funds from over 600 people, and each one was paying sh1.5 million. Sh9 billion was stolen from the poor. The town clerk and CFO (chief finance officer) have been collecting money for permits directly into their pockets. No accounts, no nothing,” Barugahara pointed out.

“In Ssembabule, there is a headmaster who was transferred two years ago to go to another school; he refused to hand over, and they kept sending letters reminding him that he must hand over. He said, ‘I will not go away. That ndi mwaana w’omuntu (I am a child of a person). I said Ori mwana w’omuntu, this time I will go with you,” he added.

“In summary, 44 people have appeared in court at anti-corruption here. 26 people, their files are complete pending appearance. Nine cases have been referred for further investigations. Those were the first twelve districts,” Barugahara disclosed.

Importance of induction

Relatedly, local government ministry permanent secretary Ben Kumumanya rallied lawmakers to regularly support the induction of councillors, saying it is vital for equipping them with knowledge of their responsibilities.

“This time, we are lucky; we have got the money. This year, out of 135 district chairpersons, only 45 came back. It means the 98 are new or fresh,” he pointed out.

Committee on Public Service and Local Government chairperson Herbert Edmund Ariko (Gweri county, NRM) and his deputy Terego District Woman MP, Rose Obigah. (Photo by Maria Wamala)

“I think it can account partly on some of the glaring mistakes being done under the stewardship of the local government political leadership. Section 13(12) bestows a lot of power over these district chairpersons,” Kumumanya stated.

He added that, on their part, they had gone as far as providing motorcycles to LC3s and pickups to LC5s to enable them to conduct oversight, which in the past had been quite challenging.