Written By | Jovita Hasto
Ibanda locals gathered at Kibubura Integrated play ground welcoming minister of Local government Balaam Barugahara during his corruption fight baraza. [PHOTO: JOVITA HASTO]
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IBANDA
The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, on November 10 visited Ibanda District as part of a series of corruption accountability barazas aimed at holding local governments and public officials accountable.
Barugahara first visited the district headquarters, where hundreds of people gathered at the district council hall, before proceeding to Kibubura Integrated Playground. Thousands of residents from different parts of the district turned up to present grievances ranging from alleged bribery and job selling to land conflicts, education challenges and police misconduct.
A report presented by the minister highlighted alleged corruption within the judiciary, police, district service commission and natural resources department, as well as broader concerns about service delivery.
The report raised concerns about access to justice at Ibanda Chief Magistrate’s Court, alleging that wealthy individuals influence judicial officers through bribes to secure the release of suspects or obtain lenient sentences.
It alleged that Ibanda Chief Magistrate, Her Worship Agnes Nantawo, had released individuals described as notorious livestock thieves in the area.
Barugahara said Nantawo, working with Deputy Resident District Commissioner Suleiman Walugembe Jjuko, had allegedly influenced proceedings in a livestock theft case involving 68 cattle and 31 sheep.
“The chief magistrate released well-known habitual livestock thieves, Abdul Bukenya Kyojo and Umaru Serukora, who were involved in stealing 68 cows and 31 sheep belonging to Joseph Tibenderana. The case is still pending and was forwarded to State House,” he said.
The report also implicated Her Worship Edith Tushabe, a Grade One Magistrate at Ibanda, who was accused of receiving bribes to impose lenient sentences and release suspects facing serious criminal allegations.
“On July 14, 2026, she only cautioned Gilbert Tumusiime, who was facing three counts of selling motorcycles and extorting more than Shs10 million from clients,” Barugahara said.
Another judicial officer, Fred Mutabazi, a Grade One Magistrate at Ishongororo, was also accused of releasing suspects. The minister cited the case of Herbert Mwebesa, described as a notorious cattle thief who allegedly stole animals belonging to Alex Mwehare but was granted bail.
Barugahara said individuals accused of similar offences were reportedly involved in livestock theft across Kazo, Ibanda, Amwenye, Kitagwenda and Mbarara districts.
According to the minister, poor residents were finding it difficult to obtain justice or resolve their grievances because of alleged corruption among law enforcement officials.
The report also accused the Directorate of Criminal Investigations officer, Alex Nsenga, of mishandling a motorcycle theft case, while a staff member at the Resident State Attorney’s office was accused of tampering with case files and extorting money from complainants.
“People with money win cases here. It is reported that DCI officer Alex Nsenga mismanaged a motorcycle theft case involving Peter Twiine, in which the suspect was arrested in Lyantonde but later released on police bond without allowing the complainant to record a statement.
“Also, a staff member working in the office of the Resident State Attorney is accused of extorting money and tampering with case files. She allegedly works with hardcore criminals. Recently, she reportedly demanded Shs300,000 from Grace Amutuhaire, who had a domestic case involving her mother and sisters against their brother, Cresento Muhumuza,” he added.
One resident accused a police officer at Ibanda Police Station of demanding Shs4 million to help pursue a robbery case involving Shs22 million.
“I was robbed, and the footage was deleted by a police officer. However, I managed to retrieve it from Kampala, but officers asked me to pay Shs4 million to follow up my file,” she said.
Mr Ventino Atugumya, a resident of Rukiri, Ibanda District, raised concerns about alleged corruption in recruitment into government positions.
He accused former Chief Administrative Officer Kweyamba Ruhemba of denying him a job in child and adolescent mental health despite having a letter from the Permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine.
Atugumya also accused Aloysius Kasingye, a former district service commission official, of demanding Shs3 million from him.
“I went to the CAO’s office, and he forwarded my letter to Aloysius Kasingye, the commissioner. However, I was asked to pay Shs3 million, which I could not afford, and I was consequently denied the job,” he said.
In response, Barugahara asked the Ibanda District Police Commander to arrest and have former district service commission officials interdicted.
The Ibanda District Chairperson, Mr Happy Herbert Mayanja, and the district council Speaker, Mr Godwins Oulanya Muhumuza, were also accused of allegedly selling government jobs.
Ms Florence Kabahinda, a resident of Ibanda, said she had borrowed Shs6 million to facilitate her brother’s recruitment into a government veterinary position at the district.
“I gave the money to Agaba, but my brother was not shortlisted. I tried to recover the money but received only Shs700,000 from Agaba after reporting the matter to police. Since 2024, I have failed to recover the outstanding balance,” she said.
The minister also called for an end to illegal mining activities in Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve, saying the activities had caused environmental degradation, with miners allegedly leaving large open pits and damaging the Mwamba and Ruhunge wetlands.
He named companies and individuals allegedly involved in the activities, including Diamond Steel Uganda, Artizn Mining Company, Nile Ore Limited and Nilo Fillers Metals, as well as Mathias Kajungu, a resident of Kitemgure in Rukiri Sub-county, Swaleh and Fred Mwendeza.
Barugahara alleged that the miners were working in collusion with natural resources officials at the district.
He also directed that a National Forestry Authority security guard be arrested over allegations that he had been extorting Shs100,000 from miners transporting sand from the forest reserve for purification using mercury.
Ibanda District Woman MP, Ms Jovrine Kaliisa Kyomukama, raised concerns about alleged extortion during the registration and collection of national identity cards by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
She said the practice was affecting residents’ access to government programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“People are being asked to pay for national identity cards, with charges ranging between Shs5,000 and Shs15,000. Young people who come to collect their cards without money are turned away without being attended to.
“This has also affected the Parish Development Model because, without national identity cards, some people cannot access the funds and are instead forced to pay bribes,” she said.
District Chairperson Mayanja also raised concerns about the National Water and Sewerage Corporation’s failure to supply water to several areas in Ibanda despite continuing to issue monthly bills to residents.
“We have a challenge with the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, which has failed to supply water to residents but still sends bills at the end of the month, even when people have no water. The affected areas include Rushango, Kashangura, Nyamarebe, Nsasi, Bisheshe, Ishongororo and Kijongo,” he said.
Ibanda South MP, Mr JohnPaul Ninkusiima, asked the minister to take action against heads of departments who failed to attend the accountability baraza, accusing them of shielding alleged corruption.
“I request that heads of departments who were supposed to provide accountability but failed to attend be asked to resign from government jobs.
“We have a former Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Kweyamba Ruhemba, who has been corrupt and intimidated workers. He has been behind corruption and bribery, and people feared to raise concerns about him. Some of those who failed to attend today are among them,” he said.
