Former Ntare school headteacher charged over irregular salary payments

 ________________ 

Former Ntare School headteacher Jimmy Turyagyenda has been charged with abuse of office and causing government a financial loss of sh110.8m over alleged irregular salary payments and benefits extended to a school employee.

Turyagyenda, who left the school in 2023, is jointly charged with the current Ntare School headteacher, Saul Rwampororo, and school typist Peace Kebirungi.

The latter were both issued with criminal summons after failing to appear in court to answer the charges.

Prosecution alleges that Kebirungi continued receiving a government salary between September 2015 and August 2024 despite allegedly abandoning her duties after securing study leave with pay.

The prosecution further alleges that Turyagyenda concealed the irregular payments before retiring from public service, while Rwampororo allegedly continued the arrangement after succeeding him as headteacher in 2023.

During the same period, the two former and current school administrators allegedly authorised the payment of additional allowances to Kebirungi from school fees collected from students, despite her reportedly not reporting for work.

In 2023, Kebirungi reportedly applied for early retirement from public service. However, prosecutors allege that Rwampororo forwarded her application despite her alleged abandonment of duty and ineligibility for retirement at the time.

She subsequently retired in 2024 and reportedly received terminal benefits, including gratuity and monthly pension payments.

Rwampororo previously served as Bushenyi District Education Officer before his appointment as Ntare School headteacher in 2023. He had also served at the school as deputy headteacher and Chemistry teacher.

Bail granted

Turyagyenda appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court Principal Magistrate, Christopher Opit, where he denied charges of causing financial loss and abuse of office. The accused also face charges of uttering a false document.

The offence of causing financial loss attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment upon conviction, while abuse of office carries a maximum seven-year jail term.

Following an application by his lawyers, David Kamukama and Sarah Awero, the magistrate granted Turyagyenda cash bail of sh5m after considering the substantial sureties presented in court.

The two sureties, Isaac Atukunda, managing partner at Credo Advocates and deputy chancellor of North Kigezi Diocese of the Church of Uganda, and Martin Tayebwa, also from the same law firm, were each granted non-cash bail of sh200m.

In his ruling, Opit noted that the sureties were officers of the court and had demonstrated their commitment to resolving the matter through their law firm.

“The sureties are officers of court and have proved by way of transfers of advance of sh110m through their law firm to have the matter resolved,” he said. The money was paid for Turyagyenda as plea-bargaining proceedings are still ongoing.

Investigations

The IG prosecutor, Raphael Pappali, informed the court that the Inspectorate was still conducting inquiries into the matter.

He accordingly prayed that the matter be adjourned to allow the inquiries to be completed, after which the prosecution would disclose to the accused persons the evidence it intends to rely upon.

This prompted the magistrate to adjourn the case to November 20, 2026, for mention.