Two CAOs, town clerk among over 20 local govt staff interdicted
“The issues raised in the meeting included gross negligence of duty, abuse of office, mismanagement of public resources and possible financial impropriety, which is said to have compromised service delivery in the district,” Kumumanya stated.
Local Government Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya interdicted Rushure in a letter dated August 7, 2026, following a meeting convened by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara (Pictured) in Isingiro District on August 6, during which a number of issues concerning her conduct and the management of the district were raised.
Two Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) and a town clerk are among the over 20 technical staff who have been interdicted in various local governments across the country over alleged gross negligence, abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds.
Those interdicted include Isingiro District CAO Alice Asimwe Rushure; Buhweju District Deputy CAO Swizen Katambakyi; Mbarara City Town Clerk Justine Barekye; and over 20 technical staff from various districts and cities to pave way for investigations into allegations of gross negligence, abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds.
Local Government Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya interdicted Rushure in a letter dated August 7, 2026, following a meeting convened by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara in Isingiro District on August 6, during which a number of issues concerning her conduct and the management of the district were raised.
“The issues raised in the meeting included gross negligence of duty, abuse of office, mismanagement of public resources and possible financial impropriety, which is said to have compromised service delivery in the district,” Kumumanya stated.
In his letter dated August 7, 2026, to Katambakyi, Kumumanya said Minister Barugahara convened a meeting in Buhweju district on August 6, 2026, and a number of issues were raised against him.
“The issue raised in the meeting included gross negligence of duty, abuse of office, mismanagement of public resources and possible financial impropriety, which the minister said had compromised service delivery in the district,” Kumumanya said.
In Barekye’s letter dated August 7, 2026, Kumumanya said, “As you are aware, the minister convened a meeting in Mbarara City on August 4, 2026, and a number of issues were raised against you.”
The issues raised included gross negligence of duty, abuse of office, mismanagement of public resources and possible financial impropriety, which the minister said had compromised service delivery in the district.
To the CAO of Isingiro (Rushure), Kumumanya asked her to interdict the district natural resource officer, Emmanuel Bwengye; Chief Finance Officer Innocent Byabagire; District Engineer Mishaki Ayebazibwe; District Commercial Officer Patrick Musinguzi; District Veterinary Officer Bruhan Kasozi; principal assistant secretary Aloysius Gumisiriza, and Senior procurement officer Frank Kamwine.
Kumumanya also directed the deputy Buhweju CAO to interdict the assistant district health officer Prudence Atukunda, senior assistant secretary Gastone Bainemigisha, senior agricultural engineer Flavia Nshemerirwe, internal auditor Charles Twinomugisha, physical planner Fred Twebaze, and senior education assistant Goretti Twinomuhoozi.
Also to be interdicted are assistant nursing officers John Byamukama and Aurella Katushabe, as well as midwives Lilian Musimenta and Julian Tusasire.
Kumumanya also directed the Mbarara City Town Clerk to interdict City Commercial Officer Allan Karukure, City Health Officer Mugisha Longino, Principal Treasurer Dunant Mugisha, Principal Revenue Officer Samuel Rwakinanga, Principal Revenue Officer Sancho Niwagaba, Senior Procurement Officer Edgar Atwiine, Senior Community Development Officer Mirabel Kabeigarire, and Civil Engineer Ben Tumwijukye.
Kumumanya said all the officials mentioned had been interdicted in accordance with Section F-S 14 of the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, 2021, and Regulation Number 38 of the Public Service Commission Regulations, 2009.
The interdiction is intended to allow investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other relevant government agencies.
While on interdiction, Kumumanya said the affected staff "will receive half of their salary and have been barred from accessing the ministry or district offices without express clearance from the ministry."
The ministry further directed the CAOs and Town Clerks to hand over the office to their deputies in accordance with the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021.
Barugahara has been conducting the “Expose the Corrupt’ which has seen him traverse the districts in Bugisu sub-region, Greater Masaka and Ankole. Several district officials in Mbale and Namisindwa have since been arrested, interdicted or arraigned before courts of law.
On Saturday, August 8, 2026, Barugahara said these interdictions are intended to allow investigations to proceed independently and without interference.
“The individuals are suspects, not convicted persons, and the investigations should establish the facts while ensuring that due process is fully observed. The fight against corruption and the campaign to protect public resources must continue. Uganda deserves accountable leadership, transparency and quality services for every citizen,” he said.
Museveni defends Barugahara
On Friday, August 7, 2026, while meeting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus, President Yoweri Museveni endorsed Local Government Minister Barugahara’s expanding anti-corruption campaign, praising him for exposing graft in local governments and directing fresh investigations into alleged theft of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds and corruption in public recruitment.
Addressing newly elected NRM Members of Parliament in Munyonyo, Museveni singled out Barugahara and his junior minister, Justine Nameere, for taking action against corruption at the grassroots.
“I’m glad some members are doing some work — like Balaam Barugahara and Nameere,” Museveni said.