Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara has ordered the closure of Kabale District Local Government registry and deployed security personnel following allegations that officials under investigation planned to burn the facility to destroy evidence. Addressing journalists at Kabale Central Market, Barugahara claimed that implicated officials held a secret meeting at Kabalega Resort Hotel in Hoima District where they allegedly plotted to set fire to the district registry and the office of the District Education Officer. The minister said the alleged plan was aimed at destroying files containing evidence of financial irregularities and frustrating ongoing corruption investigations.
The directive follows Barugahara's submission of a list of 36 Kabale District officials to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation over allegations of corruption, nepotism, abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds. Those named include former Chief Administrative Officer John Asiimwe, Chief Finance Officer Amon Akampumuza, District Education Officer Moses Tumwijukye Bwengye, Natural Resources Officer Henry Tumwesigye, and Principal Human Resource Officer Jacinta Tushabomwe, along with 31 other officials across various departments.
Barugahara said he had obtained minutes of the alleged meeting and that members of his undercover team attended the gathering. He further alleged the group planned to poison cows belonging to Kabale District LC5 Chairperson Denis Ndyomugyenyi Nzeirwe at his farm in Kamuganguzi Sub-county, Ndorwa West, and claimed the plot involved poisoning people suspected of leaking information about the investigations, including the chairperson. The minister said his contact with Nzeirwe had been limited to official engagements, including a district accountability and anti-corruption meeting.
District Chief Administrative Officer Robert Mugabe confirmed the registry closure, saying the minister had instructed staff to vacate the premises and directed him to purchase a new padlock to secure the office. Mugabe said both the registry and the education department had been placed under tight security pending investigation conclusions. LC5 Chairperson Nzeirwe said the developments could implicate officials already facing investigations and added that the district was prepared to resist any attempts to destabilise its operations. The alleged arson and poisoning plots had not been independently established at the time of publication, and allegations against the named officials remain subject to investigation.