Tayari News
Concerns over alleged corruption in Mitooma district local government recruitment have triggered calls for the suspension of the District Service Commission Chairperson, Sam Tugume Karakuza. The Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigations Department in charge of Economic Fraud and Anti-Corruption, Fred Lumala, has urged Mitooma District Council to suspend Karakuza, pending completion of investigations.
Lumala says preliminary findings have established a prima facie case against Tugume, who is accused of bribery, corruption, and abuse of office. He alleges that the suspect sold government jobs and extorted money from applicants during local government recruitment exercises. The request is contained in a letter addressed to the district chairperson, Benon Karyeija, citing provisions under Section 59(9) of the Local Government Act, which allows for suspension of officials under investigation.
Lumala argues that Tugume’s continued stay in office could interfere with ongoing investigations being conducted jointly by the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit. Tugume is among four senior district officials arrested last month over allegations of corruption linked to the sale of government jobs.
Others include the Chief Administrative Officer Joanita Nakityo, Senior Education Officer Richard Nabimanya, and District Health Officer Sadic Mugisha. Mitooma District Council Speaker Moses Tumwekwase says the council will sit to consider the matter, but warns that delays in recruitment could lead to loss of more than UGX 1 billion allocated for wages.
“We received UGX 1 billion this financial year 2025/26 for wages, but we had not recruited when the arrests were made, so at the end of this financial year, without recruiting, we are going to lose this money,” he said. District Chairperson Benon Karyeija confirmed receiving the directive letter and said the matter will be tabled before the council for consideration.
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