Two Rubanda officials flee as seven arrested in sh107m saga

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Two Rubanda District Local Government officials are on the run following the arrest of seven officials over the alleged mismanagement of public funds amounting to shillings 107,688,900.

The arrests were carried out today, March 2, 2026, during an operation conducted by the Inspectorate of Government (IG), led by IG Kabale regional office head Noeline Nsungwa. The operation follows months of investigations into suspected financial irregularities within the district.

Those arrested are: 

1. Senior Treasurer Buregyeya Steven
2. District production officer Kahangi Benon
3. Assistant veterinary officer Ahabwe Sixtus
4. Former assistant inventory management officer, Atuhaire Owen
5. Agricultural officer Kwizera Wilson
6. Assistant agricultural officer Musimenta Pamela
7. Assistant agricultural officer Turinayo Pamella
8. Karuhanga Nicholas, the director of Hummer Consults Co. Ltd, a contractor linked to the district.

According to Nsungwa, the arrests are part of ongoing investigations into the alleged misuse and misappropriation of government funds intended to support service delivery in the district. She noted that preliminary findings indicate that several items reportedly procured and paid for under government programmes were either not supplied or irregularly accounted for.

Those on the run

She further revealed that two other officials, finance officer Turinayo Peter and fisheries officer Sibomana Gerald, are currently on the run. Nsungwa reassured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend the suspects and ensure that all those implicated in the matter are brought to book.



“We are committed to ensuring that public funds are protected and that any official found culpable faces the full force of the law,” Nsungwa said, emphasising the IGG’s resolve to strengthen accountability in local governments.

The arrested officials have since been transferred to Kampala, where they are expected to be arraigned in court to answer charges related to financial mismanagement and abuse of office.

Investigations

Meanwhile, Rubanda Resident District Commissioner Eric Sewandigi said his office has spent the last two years scrutinising audit reports and investigating complaints related to procurement processes in the district. He said the investigations were prompted by persistent concerns from community members and whistleblowers over questionable expenditures.

Sewandigi explained that their review uncovered inconsistencies in procurement records, particularly concerning supplies that were reportedly paid for but never delivered. The findings were subsequently compiled and forwarded to the IGG for further investigation and action.

“We hope that through these investigations, any misappropriated funds will be recovered and redirected to their intended purpose of improving service delivery in the district,” Sewandigi said.

The crackdown in Rubanda underscores the Government’s broader efforts to combat corruption and promote transparency in public offices. The IGG has reiterated its commitment to holding public officials accountable and ensuring that taxpayers’ money is used for its intended purposes.

As investigations continue, residents of Rubanda are hopeful that the case will serve as a warning to other public officials and restore confidence in the management of public resources at the local government level.