(Jinja) – Amina Mutesi, the principal education officer for Jinja City, has been remanded after being charged with abuse of office. Her arrest was carried out by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) in collaboration with the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). Mutesi’s charges stem from allegations that she misused her authority by directing headteachers in Jinja City to divert Universal Primary Education (UPE) capitation grants, which were allocated by the government for specific school purposes.
According to a statement released on September 4, 2024, Mutesi was formally arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court. Her case follows the earlier charging of her co-accused, Haruna Mulopa, an education officer, and Samuel Ngobi, an assistant sports officer. Both Mulopa and Ngobi had been charged on August 21, 2024, for their involvement in the same case.
The allegations indicate that Mutesi directed headteachers of various government-aided schools in Jinja City to divert UPE funds to other city activities that were not related to education. These actions are said to have directly contravened the guidelines set by the government for handling public funds under the UPE program.
UPE capitation grants are provided by the Ugandan government to assist public primary schools with operational costs, with strict guidelines on how the funds are to be used. The misuse of these funds for non-educational activities is considered a serious violation of the guidelines and regulations governing UPE.
The charges brought against Mutesi and her co-accused reflect concerns over the management of public resources intended for education. SHACU and other authorities emphasized that the diversion of UPE grants to unauthorized activities not only violates the law but also undermines efforts to improve education in government-aided schools.
In the case of Mulopa and Ngobi, SHACU’s investigation revealed that they ordered headteachers to allocate a portion of the UPE funds toward city council activities and sports workshops, contrary to the established UPE financial protocols. The unauthorized use of these funds triggered the investigation that eventually led to the arrest of the three officials.
The following table outlines the key aspects of the case:
| Accused | Charges | Allegations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amina Mutesi | Abuse of office | Diverted UPE funds for non-educational activities | Remanded |
| Haruna Mulopa | Abuse of office | Directed UPE funds to city council events | Previously charged |
| Samuel Ngobi | Abuse of office | Misallocated UPE funds for sports workshops | Previously charged |
The misuse of public funds, especially those intended for critical sectors like education, has drawn attention from both the public and authorities. SHACU reiterated its commitment to holding public officers accountable for any abuse of office that harms government programs meant to uplift communities.
Mutesi and her co-accused will remain in custody as the investigation proceeds, with further legal actions expected in the coming days. Authorities emphasized that the case will serve as a warning to other public officials to ensure compliance with regulations and transparency in the management of public funds.
