MINISTER BALAAM EFFECTS: BULAMBULI DISTRICT ENGINEER & HEALTH OFFICER CHARGED WITH ABUSE OF OFFICE & BLEEDING GOVERNMENT MILLIONS

The State house Anti corruption unit, working together with the CID and the ODPP, has arraigned two Bulambuli District officials before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of Abuse of Office, Causing Financial Loss, and Neglect of Duty resulting in the loss of public funds.

The accused are  Eng. Walimbwa Paul, the District Engineer, and Dr. Mulongo Muhamed Richard, the District Health Officer. They have been remanded until 3rd August 2026.

Investigations revealed that Eng. Walimbwa, while serving as District Engineer during the FY 2021/2022, allegedly abused his office by directing the supply of door frames and window casements in quantities exceeding those required and authorised for the construction of the Bulambuli District Administration Block. It is alleged that he bypassed the prescribed procurement procedures and failed to obtain the necessary approvals, resulting in a financial loss to Government of more than UGX 20 million.

Eng. Walimbwa is also under separate investigation over the misappropriation of the UGX 1 billion road project in Bulambuli District. 

Preliminary findings from the Ministry of Works and Transport's Mbale Regional Materials Laboratory indicate that garden soil was allegedly used on Kimulu–Tunyi Road instead of the approved gravel and murram. Investigations are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mulongo Muhamed Richard has been charged with Abuse of Office, Causing Financial Loss, and Negligence leading to the loss of public funds. The investigations revealed that, while serving as Senior Medical Officer In-Charge of Muyembe Health Centre IV during the FY 2021/2022, he irregularly oversaw the construction of a pit latrine in contravention of the approved standards and procedures for health facilities.

It is further alleged that he requisitioned UGX 7 million for the construction despite the works not meeting the required standards. As a result, the pit latrine has never become operational since its construction, leading to the loss of public funds intended to improve healthcare service delivery.

These arrests form part of the ongoing nationwide #Exposethecorrupt anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by the Minister of Local Government, Hon. @BalaamBarugahar, to expose and hold accountable corrupt officials in local governments. The campaign commenced in Eastern Uganda.