Kabale District Speaker, Flavia Kanagyizi, has ordered former Ryakarimira Town Council Town Clerk, Ampaire Alex, to refund over UGX 188 million due to alleged embezzlement. She also recommended his dismissal from public service.
During the council session on February 20, 2025, Kanagyizi further directed former Senior Treasurer Amwesigye Hadad to repay UGX 3,300,000 for similar misconduct.
Speaking to our reporter after the council session, Kanagyizi expressed disappointment that certain individuals involved in embezzlement were not mentioned during the session. “All their names are in the Public Accounts Committee report,” she added.
According to the district speaker, Eng. Tumusiime Jude, the district’s head of mechanics, had embezzled UGX 9 billion. The PAC Committee has recommended that he refund the amount. Additionally, Agaba Fled, who embezzled UGX 35,820,200, has not yet repaid the stolen funds.
Kanagyizi emphasized that the dismissal of public servants should not be the primary focus. Instead, the emphasis should be on ensuring that culprits return the embezzled money as a deterrent to others committing similar offenses. “They take our money; it’s better we look for them, arrest them, and have them refund the money before dismissing them,” she said.
The district speaker attributed the slow development in the district to widespread embezzlement, citing the dilapidated condition of district structures. “It’s unfortunate that the little revenue we collect is also embezzled,” she added.
However, the District LC5 Chairperson, Nelson Nshangabasheija, who read the Public Accounts Committee report, only mentioned former Ryakarimira Town Council Town Clerk, Ampaire Alex, and former Senior Treasurer, Amwesigye Hadad.
When asked why other names weren’t mentioned, Nshangabasheija defended the omission, urging the council to focus on those who embezzled large sums of money. “We have 15 sub-counties in Kabale district, and we can’t tackle everything at once,” he explained.
Nshangabasheija further likened the situation to pursuing a person who stole a hen while ignoring someone who stole 100 cows, adding, “I don’t know if we have differences.”
