State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), in liaison with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have charged three Mitooma District Local Government officials for diverting and misusing public funds.
The District officials, who were arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on October 12th, 2026, have been identified as, the Acting District Engineer, John Baptist Tumwebaze; the District Road Inspector, Franklin Mandela; and the Sector Accountant, Lydia Aheereza.
According to SHACU, the accused have been charged with various offences, including abuse of office, conspiracy to commit an offence, diversion of public resources, causing financial loss, embezzlement and making false claims.
The charges relate to funds released to Mitooma District Local Government for the mechanised removal of bottlenecks on four roads, including Katwe–Karangara–Karimbiro, Kirambi–Kirera–Ruziizi, Omuribiri–Nyakizinga–Mutaka, and Kyanzaire–Bukuba.
“It is alleged that between 17 and 30 June 2026, at the Mitooma District Local Government offices, the accused diverted part of the funds to pay UGX31,162,400 for fuel that was never supplied, as well as allowances for road works that were allegedly never carried out. This resulted in a loss of UGX45,066,400 to government,” SHACH said.
Tumwebaze, Mandela, and Aheereza were remanded until Friday, October 16th, 2026.
Their arrest and arraignment follow complaints and investigations arising from the “Expose the Corrupt” National Campaign, spearheaded by the Balaam Barugahara, the Minister of Local Government.
