Namutumba officials face probe over sh1.6b misuse

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Two Namutumba district officials have been handed over to district Police commander, Bashir Siriba, for further investigation over suspected mismanagement of shillings 1.6 billion meant for youth and women empowerment under government programmes.

This development unfolded on Friday, May 30, 2025, during the “Youth Wake-Up Call” campaign led by the youth and children affairs state minister, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, who was hosted in the district by the lands state minister, Persis Namuganza, a resident of the area.

Barugahara began his inspection with a closed-door meeting involving district technical staff at the Namutumba district headquarters. There, he rejected the accountability report presented by Enock Muguywa, the joint focal point person for the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) and Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), citing glaring inconsistencies.

Enock Muguyiwa (right), the Youth Livelihood Program focal person, trying to go through a report that was presented to the minister, which he rejected. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

“The figures don’t add up. Something is clearly wrong here. This points to possible misuse of public funds,” a visibly frustrated Barugahara said.

According to the report dated May 30, 2025, the district received shillings 1.481 billion under YLP since 2014, targeting 2,661 individuals in 244 groups. However, only shillings 109 million had been recovered, leaving a questionable balance although the report showed shillings four million. Meanwhile, under UWEP, shillings 926 million had been received since 2017, benefiting 1,755 individuals in 200 women groups, with just shillings 113.3 million recovered.

“When you combine the recovered and received figures, they don’t give the figure of the balance you state. Why are you wasting my time?” the minister questioned sharply. “If I find this money was misused, the law will take its course.”

To verify the report, Barugahara visited groups that had reportedly benefitted from the funds. In Kibaale town council, he met Paul Wadaba, chairperson of Walumbe Youth Milling Group. The group received shillings four million in 2021 and reported growth from five to 30 members. They acquired a used milling machine, cultivated crops like cassava, maize, and groundnuts, and registered a group bank account.

State minister for children and youth affairs, Balaam Barugahara, speaking to Namutumba district officials after a meeting at the district headquarters. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

In another visit, Barugahara met Charles Mwanja, chairperson of Kitonko Dairy Farming Youth Group, which received shillings eight million in 2018. The group now owns 14 cows, including four milking cows, and earns shillings 80,000 daily from milk sales. Despite this, only shillings 300,000 had been recovered.

“We reinvested most of the money to expand the project and meet demand,” Mwanja said.

Barugahara, however, did not accept the excuse. “You’re supposed to begin repaying after three years. It’s been eight. Why haven’t you paid? Sell two cows and repay. This is not a donation but a revolving fund. Other youth from Busoga are waiting for that money.”

Minister Namuganza noted, “Please repay as advised so the programme can grow and help others too. But thank you for your efforts in employing fellow youth.”

(Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Tension and arrests

Tensions escalated later during a youth engagement rally at Ivukula sub-county headquarters in Bukono Constituency, where youth and local leaders claimed they had never received any YLP or UWEP support. This contradiction prompted Barugahara to order the immediate investigation of Muguywa and district community development officer (DCDO) Khalid-Al-Hadad Babalanda, where he asked the DPC to take them immediately and also get a clear statement from them.

Hadadi Halifa Babalanda, the district community development officer for Namutumba being escorted by police. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

While at the Police station, Babalanda claimed the district had mobilised groups from all sub-counties and submitted their details for funding. He blamed the finance ministry for not releasing funds to the area, stating, “The money goes directly to group accounts. We are only notified through the system.”

However, Barugahara remained unconvinced, noting that further audits and beneficiary interviews would be conducted.

“This government will not tolerate theft disguised as development. We are here to ensure this money changes lives, not lines pockets,” he stated.

Enock Muguyiwa, the Youth Livelihood Program focal person for Namutumba, being escorted by the police after he was arrested at Ivukula Playground in Namutumba district. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Luuka district

On Sunday, the minister proceeded to Luuka district, where he was presented with a report by Michael Museene, the focal point for the projects. As of May 2025, Luuka had received sh1.285b, with sh292.89m recovered. The program benefited 1,953 people (1,054 males and 899 females). Groups like Kigaya Youth Bull Fattening, Bulanga Youth Computer Services, Gansembye Youth Boda Boda, and Lukotaime Youth Bull Fattening had achieved full (100%) repayment.

Under UWEP, sh740.4m had been disbursed in Luuka, with sh177.43m recovered from 160 groups totaling 1,609 beneficiaries. Seven groups in the district had repaid in full.

Museene also highlighted other social protection programs under the Community-Based Services Department. These included a non-refundable grant of sh25,000 per month to 1,812 older persons aged 80 and above, amounting to sh292.29m.

Another sh45m grant was extended to 45 beneficiaries in 9 groups of older persons not covered under the first program. Additionally, sh100m had been disbursed to 20 groups comprising 98 persons with disabilities to support enterprise development.

Karamoja

Earlier in May, Barugahara had visited districts like Moroto and Mbale. In Moroto, Margaret Lolem, the DCDO, reported that the district received sh1.4b under YLP, supporting 120 youth groups and 1,595 beneficiaries (802 females, 793 males), with sh513m recovered. Under UWEP, Moroto received sh708.9 m for 93 groups and recovered sh120.7m.

The district also benefited from the GROW project (Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises), where 18 women accessed sh85m through Post Bank and Centenary Bank. Furthermore, under the Presidential Initiative on skilling the youth, 81 students had received vocational training at the Moroto Industrial Hub in nearby Napak district in fields like welding, carpentry, hairdressing, and metal fabrication.

Barugahara stated he will continue with nationwide inspections, with Kamuli district scheduled for a visit this Friday.

“We are not here to witch-hunt, but to protect the future of Uganda’s young people and women,” he concluded.