MITOOMA — Three Mitooma District Local Government officials have been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court over the alleged diversion and misuse of public funds amounting to Shs45.06 million intended for road works.
The accused are Acting District Engineer John Baptist Tumwebaze, District Road Inspector Franklin Mandela and Sector Accountant Lydia Aheereza.
The trio faces charges including abuse of office, conspiracy to commit an offence, diversion of public resources, causing financial loss, embezzlement and making false claims.
Prosecution alleges that between June 17 and June 30, 2026, at Mitooma District offices, the officials diverted funds allocated for the mechanised removal of bottlenecks on four roads.
The roads are Katwe–Karangara–Karimbiro, Kirambi–Kirera–Ruziizi, Omuribiri–Nyakizinga–Mutaka and Kyanzaire–Bukuba.
According to the prosecution, Shs31,162,400 was diverted towards fuel that was allegedly never supplied and allowances for work that was reportedly not carried out.
The alleged actions are said to have caused the government a financial loss of Shs45,066,400.
The three officials have been remanded until October 16, 2026, as the case proceeds through court.
Their arrests followed complaints and investigations conducted under the Expose the Corrupt National Campaign, spearheaded by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara, which seeks to strengthen accountability and combat corruption in local governments.
The accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
