Witchcraft, Corruption, Romance. The story of Bugiri District reads like a tragic novel, its chapters filled with ambition, betrayal, and whispers of the supernatural. Once celebrated for producing national figures like Justine Kasule Lumumba and Asuman Basalirwa, Bugiri now finds itself branded “the forgotten district.”
The decline is stark. In the 2025/26 service delivery rankings, Bugiri scored only 41%, placing it among Uganda’s worst performers.
Schools crumble, teachers are scarce, and children fail in droves. Out of more than nine thousand pupils, barely a hundred achieved Grade One. Roads receive allocations, but maintenance is patchy. Salaries consume budgets, leaving little for development.
Yet the statistics only scratch the surface. The real rot lies in the district’s administration. The service commission, once meant to safeguard merit, has become a den of favoritism. Jobs are sold, promotions are traded for romance, and dissenters are punished.
At the center of this chaos is Kabweeru Wilson Kudaga, a man whose power is unmatched. Holding four critical offices simultaneously, he embodies the abuse of office. His dominance has paralyzed accountability, leaving Bugiri trapped in dysfunction.
But Bugiri’s scandals go beyond corruption. Witchcraft allegations have cast a dark shadow. The death of Senior Fisheries Officer Sarah Majugwa was not seen as natural. Her husband accused colleagues of tormenting her with sorcery. She had named those who wanted her dead, he claimed. Her burial became a protest, a cry against unseen forces. Other staff deaths have fueled rumors that Bugiri is not just corrupt but cursed.
Nepotism adds insult to injury. Relatives of administrators rise swiftly, bypassing qualified staff. A freshly graduated daughter occupies senior management, while two brothers climb ranks with suspicious speed. The district has become a family fiefdom.
Bugiri’s tragedy is profound. It is a district that once gave Uganda leaders of stature, now reduced to scandal and superstition. Its people call it “the forgotten district,” a place where witchcraft, corruption, and romance dictate destiny. Unless urgent reforms are made, Bugiri risks becoming not just forgotten but forsaken.
