The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has directed the Ministry's Permanent Secretary to immediately interdict the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Isingiro District, Alice Asiimwe Rushure, over the alleged mismanagement of road infrastructure funds under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme.
The interdiction directive also targets former District Engineer Asaph Abeneitwe, who now serves in the Ministry of Education, the District Natural Resources Officer, and several members of the district works committee.
The directive follows what the minister described as a failure to properly supervise and account for Shs5.3 billion allocated for road infrastructure under the USMID programme.
Balaam issued the order on Thursday during a high-profile anti-corruption inspection tour of Isingiro District, where he expressed dissatisfaction with the deteriorating condition of newly constructed USMID roads.
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Holding the accounting officer directly responsible for project oversight, the minister said CAO Asiimwe should step aside to allow for an independent investigation into the alleged misuse of public funds and the execution of substandard road works.
"As the chief accounting officer of the district, the CAO holds ultimate responsibility for public resources and project oversight. Administrative negligence that allows public funds to be wasted will no longer be tolerated under my leadership," Balaam said.
Addressing the CAO during the inspection, the minister added:
"As the accounting officer, were you satisfied with the work done? Government has asked us not to humiliate accounting officers, and I will not humiliate you. But in the meantime, I am asking the Permanent Secretary to interdict you and your committee to pave the way for investigations. If found guilty, they will have to refund the stolen money."
The minister said the interdiction should also apply to key technical officials involved in implementing the project, including former District Engineer Asaph Abeneitwe and members of the district works committee. He accused the officials of approving flawed, incomplete and substandard road works that failed to meet the required quality standards.
Balaam further revealed that State Minister for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama, had reportedly declined to commission the district's 7.1-kilometre road project because of concerns over poor workmanship.
"I have also learnt that Minister Rwamirama refused to commission the 7.1-kilometre roads in the district because of shoddy work. The CAO and the District Engineer must ensure value for money because President Museveni will not do it himself. The transferred technical team will be recalled and interdicted," Balaam said.
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During the same oversight visit, the minister also addressed what he described as broader integrity challenges within the district leadership, warning that government would not tolerate negligence or abuse of public resources.
The interdiction of CAO Alice Asiimwe Rushure signals a tougher government stance against alleged administrative failures and corruption in local governments. Formal investigations involving the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and criminal investigators are expected to determine individual responsibility and facilitate the recovery of any public funds found to have been misused.
