Sheema LC5 chief Buhanda says corruption accusations politically motivated

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Sheema district LC5 chairperson Jemimah Tumwijukye Buhanda has dismissed accusations of corruption, selling of a public forest and abuse of office.

The defence comes in the wake of several district stakeholders calling for a thorough investigation into alleged corruption within the district leadership.

While addressing journalists at Mayor's Gardens in Sheema municipality on July 22, 2025, a group of leaders, led by Sam Kahindi, the former chairperson of the Sheema District Service Commission, accused Buhanda of mismanaging shillings 400 million meant for the construction of the district headquarters.

In the 2023/24 financial year, the Government allocated shillings 800 million for the construction of both the district and municipal council headquarters. However, to date, the construction of the district headquarters has stalled at the foundation level, and shillings 400 million cannot be accounted for.

Kahindi accused Buhanda of failing to supervise the project, which allegedly enabled the embezzlement of the allocated funds.

“She failed to involve the UPDF Engineering Brigade, which was supposed to undertake the work. Instead, private contractors were brought in, and the money was misused,” he alleged.

In contrast, construction of the Sheema municipality headquarters, which was handled by the UPDF Engineering Brigade has progressed smoothly and is currently at the first-floor level.

Geoffrey Mucunguzi Cadre, the former Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Ntungamo district, also accused Buhanda of orchestrating the illegal sale of public property.

“She sold off the entire district forest in Rubare, Sheema central division, a forest of over 15 hectares, at just shillings 68 million. Each tree was sold at only 700,” Mucunguzi said.

“She also sanctioned the sale of the district livestock cattle and goats which were being kept at Rubaare farm.”

Mucunguzi also questioned how Buhanda’s son, who was previously accused of embezzling Emyooga funds was able to secure another government job.

“He left Sheema under a cloud of scandal after allegedly stealing money meant for the Emyooga programme, yet he somehow got a job in Mbarara city,” Mucunguzi said.

“Now he has returned with huge sums of money to campaign for his mother. We cannot accept that level of impunity.”

He called on the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SACHU) to intervene and arrest all those implicated in the scandal.

“As stakeholders, we cannot sit back and watch our district be looted. We demand action,” he said.

Brigadier (Rtd) Joram Tumwine Kakari accused Buhanda of conniving with the district service commission to sell public jobs.

“I am a retired General. I don’t wish to engage in politics against her, but I want our people to receive proper services,” he said. “We went to the bush and fought for this country. We can’t keep quiet as our district is destroyed by incompetent and corrupt leaders.”

Kakari also said that the LC5 Chairperson had become intolerant to criticism and no longer consults with district leaders.

Trying to tarnish my name

In response to the allegations, Buhanda says they are politically motivated.

“Those making these allegations are only trying to tarnish my name to gain political mileage ahead of the next elections,” she said.

“There is no truth to these claims.”

The stakeholders vowed to pursue the matter until the relevant authorities take action.