MBALE – The Water Engineer for Mbale District, Eng. Wandera Simon Peter, has been arrested and is being held at Mbale Central Police Station over the alleged mismanagement of a UGX 2.2 billion government-funded water project.
According to the Minister of State for Local Government, Hon. Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi, the arrest is connected to the Buyobo–Bubyangu Gravity Flow Scheme, a project intended to provide clean and free piped water from the slopes of Mount Elgon to rural communities in Mbale District.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Balaam said the project received UGX 2.2 billion in government funding under the directive of President Yoweri Museveni. However, despite the substantial investment, residents have reportedly been left without water as all the public taps connected to the scheme remain dry.
“The Water Engineer of Mbale District, Eng. Wandera Simon Peter, is currently detained at CPS Mbale. This follows his arrest in connection with alleged mismanagement of the Buyobo–Bubyangu Gravity Flow Scheme,” Balaam said.
He described the situation as regrettable, noting that the project had been designed to improve access to clean water for thousands of people in the area but had failed to deliver the intended services.
The minister also issued a stern warning to contractors implementing government-funded projects, urging them to adhere to the required standards.
“All contractors are hereby put on notice to desist from substandard work. Government projects must meet the required standards and deliver real value to Ugandans,” Balaam said.
The arrest comes just a day after another government official was apprehended over the alleged mismanagement of a UGX 300 million road project in Mbale, where sections of the road reportedly became impassable despite the funds having been fully spent.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether additional suspects will be arrested as investigations into the water project continue.
