Sixteen officials at Rubanda District Local Government have been referred to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation following concerns about alleged financial loss to government on public infrastructure projects. Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara made the referral during an anti-corruption tour of the Kigezi Sub-region, where he inspected the quality of government-funded projects and questioned whether they represented value for money.
Barugahara began his inspection at Bugiri Crossing Bridge in Kakore Parish, Hamurwa Sub-county, a project constructed at a cost of 85 million shillings. During the visit, the minister identified significant defects including cracks in the concrete, poorly bonded stones and soil accumulated along the water channel. He raised concerns about the durability of the structure, particularly during heavy rainfall, and questioned the quality of materials used and the standard of workmanship.
The minister also visited Karukara Market and Rubanda General Hospital as part of his assessment of infrastructure and service delivery across the district. Barugahara stated that the anti-corruption tour was intended to promote accountability and ensure public funds deliver quality infrastructure and better services, including healthcare. The referral places the district's handling of public projects under formal investigation, though the referral itself does not establish that officials caused financial loss or committed any offence.
Finance Minister Henry Musasizi endorsed the initiative, describing the anti-corruption drive in the Kigezi Sub-region as overdue. Musasizi emphasised the need to ensure value for money in government projects and strengthen accountability in public spending. Barugahara is expected to continue the anti-corruption tour in Kanungu and Rukungiri districts the following week as the government intensifies scrutiny of public projects and service delivery.
For people in Uganda who depend on government-funded infrastructure and services, the investigation signals whether their tax money is being spent on projects that actually work and deliver real benefits. The outcome of the investigations will be critical to establishing whether irregularities occurred, the extent of any financial loss and whether individual officials bear responsibility for any problems identified.