Bulambuli District Engineer and the District Health Officer are on remand on charges of abuse of office, causing financial loss, and neglect of duty over separate projects that allegedly caused losses to the government.
Eng. Walimbwa Paul, the Bulambuli District Engineer, and Dr. Mulongo Muhamed Richard, the District Health Officer, appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court on Friday, July 17, where they were formally charged following investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The two officials were remanded to prison until August 3, 2026, when they are expected to return to court. According to investigators, Eng. Walimbwa is accused of abusing his office during the 2021/2022 financial year by authorising the supply of door frames and window casements beyond the quantities required for the construction of the Bulambuli District Administration Block.
Prosecutors allege that he bypassed mandatory procurement procedures and failed to obtain the necessary approvals, resulting in a government financial loss of more than UGX 20 million. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit also revealed that Walimbwa is under separate investigation over the alleged misappropriation of a UGX 1 billion road project in Bulambuli District. Preliminary findings from the Ministry of Works and Transport’s Mbale Regional Materials Laboratory reportedly indicate that garden soil was used instead of the approved gravel and murram during the construction of the Kimulu–Tunyi Road. Investigations into the road project are still ongoing.
Dr. Mulongo, on the other hand, is accused of abusing his office and causing financial loss while serving as Senior Medical Officer in Charge of Muyembe Health Centre IV during the 2021/2022 financial year. Investigators allege that he irregularly supervised the construction of a pit latrine in contravention of approved standards and procedures for health facilities before requisitioning UGX 7 million for the project.
According to the investigators, the facility has never become operational because it failed to meet the required construction standards, leading to the loss of public funds intended to improve healthcare service delivery. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit said the prosecutions are part of the ongoing nationwide #ExposeTheCorrupt campaign targeting corruption in local governments.
The campaign, which began in Eastern Uganda, is being implemented jointly by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, CID and the ODPP with the aim of strengthening accountability and protecting public resources-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
