Three Mitooma District Local Government officials have been remanded to October 16, 2026, after being charged before the Anti-Corruption Court over the alleged diversion and misuse of Shs45 million meant for road maintenance.
The accused are Acting District Engineer John Baptist Tumwebaze, District Road Inspector Mandela Franklin, and Sector Accountant Lydia Aheereza.
The trio was arraigned on charges including abuse of office, conspiracy to commit an offence, diversion of public resources, causing financial loss, embezzlement and making false claims.
The charges stem from funds released to Mitooma District Local Government for the mechanised removal of bottlenecks on four roads: Katwe–Karangara–Karimbiro, Kirambi–Kirera–Ruziizi, Omuribiri–Nyakizinga–Mutaka, and Kyanzaire–Bukuba.
Prosecution alleges that between June 17 and 30, 2026, while at the Mitooma District Local Government offices, the accused diverted part of the funds to pay Shs31.2 million for fuel that was never supplied.
They are also accused of processing and receiving allowances for road works that were allegedly never carried out, resulting in a total financial loss of Shs45 million to the Government.
The three officials were arrested and brought before court following complaints and investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The investigations were linked to the “Expose the Corrupt” National Campaign, spearheaded by Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara, which seeks to strengthen accountability and tackle corruption in local governments.
The court remanded the three officials until October 16, 2026, when they are expected to return to court.
