Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara has ordered the arrest of Bweyale Town Council LC3 Chairperson Edward Byakagaba over allegations that he failed to account for Shs50 million allocated for road rehabilitation. Balaam issued the directive on Tuesday while addressing hundreds of residents during his “Exposed the Corrupt Campaign” at Kiryandongo Church of Uganda Primary School in Kiryandongo District.
According to Balaam, Bweyale Town Council budgeted Shs50 million in the last financial year to rehabilitate a 2.5-kilometre section of Rift Valley Road, which connects the town council to Panyadoli Refugee Settlement. He said the money was released, but the planned road works have not been carried out, and the funds have not been accounted for.
Balaam consequently directed police in Kiryandongo to arrest Byakagaba and have him charged. The minister accused some local government leaders of frustrating service delivery by diverting or failing to account for public funds. He said the government would take action against officials found implicated in corruption.
Byakagaba was not present at the meeting where the directive was issued and could not immediately be reached for comment. Kiryandongo District Police Commander Stephen Ojok confirmed that police had received the minister’s directive to arrest Byakagaba.
Ojok said police would implement the directive as soon as possible. Police had not arrested the town council chairperson by the time of publishing this story. Balaam is expected to take the “Exposed the Corrupt Campaign” to Masindi District on Wednesday, where he will meet members of the public, civil society organisations, and district and sub-county leaders at Kabango Town Council-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
