Minister Barugahara orders arrest of ex-Bulambuli DHO over sh73m 'toilet without pit’

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The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has ordered the immediate arrest of the former Bulambuli District Health Officer (DHO), Dr Muhamed Mulongo, following the discovery of a shoddy sh73m toilet project built without an underground pit.

The directive was issued during a surprise inspection at Muyembe Health Centre IV in Bulambuli District on July 10 under the “Expose the Corrupt” campaign.

The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara (in front), with Bulambuli district leaders walking towards Muyembe Health Centre IV to inspect the sh73m toilet built without a pithole. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

Minister Barugahara, accompanied by the state minister for local government, Justine Nameere, the state minister for employment and industrial relations, Simon Mulongo, and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Secretary General, Fadil Twalla, discovered a ramshackle structure instead of a pit latrine.

The shocking discovery, financial discrepancies

During the site visit, officials were stunned to find that the structure, which on paper cost taxpayers millions, was merely an empty concrete shell built directly on a slab with no actual pit dug underground.

When questioned, Dr Mulongo defended the project, claiming that according to his vouchers and Bills of Quantities (BOQs), only sh7m was spent as an emergency intervention.

The alleged sh73m pitless toilet that was constructed at Muyembe Health Centre IV. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

"We spent about sh7m. We put up a slab which is washable with a drainage on the other side. We only did it as an emergency measure so that we could have patients instead of going to the general toilet," Dr Mulongo, who was in charge during the project’s implementation, explained.

The former DHO maintained that he possessed vouchers and BOQs to support his claims, though he said the original documents were left at the office when he was interdicted in 2021.

Dr Mulongo indicated that he only had copies at his home. Minister Barugahara insisted on retrieving the documents for verification, emphasising the need for transparency.

Discussions at the scene also pointed to the involvement of a town clerk, who has since been transferred, and questions arose about the exact amount disbursed against what was reportedly spent.

Local leaders, including the Bulambuli District chairperson, Simon Peter Wonanzofu, acknowledged the discrepancy between the sh7m claimed by Dr Mulongo and the sh73m figure in records, noting that the case had previously been investigated and was reportedly before court.

Missing documents, arrest order

The confrontation escalated when Dr Mulongo admitted that he did not have the original land and project files at that moment, explaining that he kept copies at his home because he had been interdicted and had been out of office since 2021.

The Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara (C) addressing local leaders during inspection of a sh73m pitless toilet constructed at Muyembe Health Centre IV. Looking on are PLU's Secretary General Fadil Twalla (2nd L) and the State Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge Employment and Industrial Relations, Simon Mulongo (R). (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

Rejecting the explanation, Minister Barugahara directed Peter Twalla, the Deputy Regional Police Commander, and Shifah Kiribwa, the Bulambuli District Police Commander, to take the former DHO into custody, escort him to his residence to retrieve the official documents, and subject him to a rigorous investigation.

"First of all, it is a crime to keep important government documents at your home," Barugahara warned, adding, "They alleged that he used sh73m to build a toilet without even a pit. It's just a structure. I want to see the official description on the contract documents."

 No mercy for corrupt officials

Speaking at the Bulambuli district council hall before inspecting the toilet facility, Minister Nameere expressed her deep frustration with the rampant corruption plaguing public service, stating that Ugandans are disgusted by public funds being siphoned by a few individuals.

The State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere Nsubuga (L) addressing local leaders at the Bulambuli district headquarters. Looking on is the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara (C), and Simon Mulongo (L), the State Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Employment and Industrial Relations. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

"If you know you cannot work for the Government without being corrupt, leave the job and go do business. We are going to work without fear or favour. A thief is a thief. Do not call my phone to plead for anyone," Nameere said.

She drew on her own experience as Senior Presidential Advisor on Greater Masaka, where she resisted large bribes, to illustrate that ethical service is possible.

Echoing her sentiments, PLU Secretary General Twalla announced that the patriotic league is setting up structures down to the village level to act as anti-corruption watchdogs and improve service delivery.

Twalla conveyed greetings from PLU Chairperson and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The incident at Muyembe Health Centre IV highlighted the persistent challenges in public fund management and infrastructure quality in Uganda.

 Authorities have promised a thorough investigation to determine accountability and ensure value for money in future projects.