Rubanda district officials in sh107m fraud case freed on bail

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The Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero has granted bail to seven officials from Rubanda district Local Government who are accused of embezzling sh107 million from the district coffers.

On March 11, 2026, Principal Grade One Magistrate Paul Mujuni granted bail to treasurer Steven Buregyeya, production officer Benon Kahangi, veterinary officer Sixtus Ahabwe, former Assistant Inventory Management Officer Owen Atuheire , Assistant Agricultural Officer Wilson Kwizera, Assistant Agricultural Pamela Musementa, Finance Officer Peter Turinayo, and Gerad Sibomana fisheries officer.

Court, however, remanded Benon Kahangi to Luzira Prison after he failed to present sureties to stand for him, noting that bail could not be granted without them.

Principal Grade One Magistrate Mujuni said the accused had met the court’s requirements for bail, adding that the sureties they presented were substantial and reliable.

“I find that the sureties presented by the accused are substantial and appear responsible enough to ensure that the accused report to court whenever they are required,” Mujuni said.

Mujuni subsequently granted each accused person a cash bail of sh1.5 million, with their sureties executing non-cash bonds of sh50 million each.

Prosecution’s case

Prosecution, led by Diana Nantabazi of the Inspectorate of Government, told court that between February and March 2023, Buregyeya and Kahangi, serving as Senior treasurer and district Production officer at Rubanda district local government, allegedly misappropriated sh68.5 million from the district’s Centenary Bank Imprest account using their official positions to access the funds.

In the second count, prosecution alleges that in January 2023, Ahabwe and Atuheire, serving as Assistant Veterinary Officer and Assistant Inventory Management Officer at Rubanda District Local Government, allegedly misappropriated sh9.7 million meant for agricultural extension activities in Habuhutu-Mugrera town council, exploiting their official positions to access the funds.

It is further alleged that in January 2023, Kwizera and Kahangi, while employed by Rubanda District Local Government as Assistant Agricultural Officer and District Production Officer, respectively, allegedly stole sh9.7 million intended for agricultural extension activities in Ruhija Sub-County.

According to prosecution, in January 2023, Musimenta and Turinayo, while employed by the Rubanda district Local Government as Assistant Agricultural Officer and Finance Officer, respectively, allegedly stole sh9.7 million intended for agricultural extension activities in Bubare Sub-County.

Prosecution alleges that in January 2023, Sibomana and Turinayo, while serving as Fisheries Officer and Finance Officer at Rubanda District Local Government, misappropriated sh9.7 million earmarked for agricultural extension activities in Nshanjare town council.

According to prosecution, between January and March 2023, Buregyeya, Kahangi, Ahabwe, Atuheire, Kwizera, Musimenta, Turinayo, and Sibomana, while performing their duties as Senior Treasurer, district production officer, Assistant veterinary officer, Assistant inventory management officer, Assistant Agricultural officer, Assistant Agricultural officer, Finance officer, and Fisheries officer at Rubanda district Local Government, respectively, abused their offices by embezzling sh107 million, acts which were prejudicial to the interests of their employer.