Minister demands probe into Masindi district officials over shoddy works

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The State Minister for Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President Peter Ogwang has ordered for the arrest of nine Masindi district local government officials for allegedly executing shoddy works on government projects in the district.

The officials are John Kasaija, the Masindi municipal engineer, Deo Kabugo, the town clerk Masindi municipality, Lameck Atugonza and his supervisor John Muhumuza.

Others are Alfred Onen, the district water officer, Geoffrey Nkurunziza, the former acting district Chief Administrative Officer-CAO, Patrick Okise, the district internal auditor, Godfrey Byarugaba, the district procurement officer and David Baguma, the Masindi chief financial officer.

They are accused of corruption and negligence of their duties by failing to supervise the construction of the government projects that led to shoddy works and loss of taxpayer’s money. Ogwang accuses Kasaija and Kabugo of failing to monitor the construction of Katasenywa health centre II in Nyangahya division where the government injected 490 million shillings, saying that there was no value for money.

Ogwang also faulted the Masindi District Engineer and his team for doing nothing despite shoddy works on Bulima town council administrative block, staff quarters at Kihagani Primary School, and Bwijanga health centre IV in Bwijanga sub county.

He also accuses the water officer of sanctioning full payment for the construction of four boreholes in the greater Kimengo sub-county which were never constructed.

Ogwang vowed to follow up on the matter and warned police against interfering with the cases.

Jennifer Namuyangu, the State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs wondered how civil servants could authorize payments of government money for no or shoddy works done. She tasked the community members to always demand accountability from the duty bearers whenever a government project is being undertaken in their area.

Cosmas Byaruhanga, the LCV Chairperson Masindi says the district political leadership refused to commission some of the projects after realizing that shoddy works were done on them.

Edinah Nyinareza, the Masindi District Police Commander says she would summon the accused officers to Masindi Central Police Station to have them record statements on the accusations put against them.

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