Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, has directed the Chief Administrative Officer of Buliisa District to suspend 12 staff members facing corruption and misappropriation allegations. The officials were named during an anti-corruption meeting held by the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, in Buliisa on October 8, 2026. In a letter dated October 14, 2026, Kumumanya said he had noted the allegations during the minister's visit and ordered their immediate suspension to allow the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other investigative agencies to carry out inquiries.
The suspended officials include the District Education Officer, Chief Finance Officer, District Natural Resources Officer, Acting District Health Officer, Acting District Engineer and the Secretary to the District Service Commission. Six other staff members have also been suspended, including the Secretaries to the District Land Board and a Senior Procurement Officer, as well as the District Water Officer, two school head teachers and a parish chief. Kumumanya said the suspensions would be carried out under Section 14 of the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021.
The Permanent Secretary copied the letter to various officials including the Minister for Local Government, the Inspectorate of Government and the Resident District Commissioner. The minister's initial anti-corruption campaign had called for 14 staff to be suspended, though Kumumanya's directive covers 12 officials. The allegations against the suspended staff have not been tested in court.