The Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has directed anti-corruption agencies to investigate the Acting Buhweju District Health Officer, Prudence Atukunda Nowe, over allegations that she forged academic documents to secure her position. He has also ordered the immediate interdiction of four other district employees over various alleged irregularities.
Presenting the findings of his investigations at the Buhweju District Council Hall on Friday, Barugahara said Atukunda did not possess the required experience to qualify for the office she currently occupies.
Atukunda is accused of presenting forged academic credentials to obtain her appointment as Acting District Health Officer. She also faces allegations of intimidating health workers by forcing them to alter data in health facility registers under threat of dismissal.
Among those interdicted are Guston Baryomaisho, the Town Clerk of Nsiika Town Council. According to Barugahara, Baryomaisho was irregularly appointed to the position of Senior Assistant Secretary because he lacked the mandatory Certificate in Administrative Law from a recognised institution and did not have the required three years of experience as an administrative officer.
Barugahara further directed the interdiction of Godwin Namanya, a district driver, alleging that he presented forged Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) documents when seeking employment with the district.
Also interdicted is Aurelia Katushabe, whom the Minister accused of absconding from duty for five years. He said that instead of facing disciplinary action upon her return, she was reinstated into the district service because of her close relationship with the Acting District Health Officer.
According to the Minister, Katushabe should have been subjected to disciplinary proceedings. Instead, she was promoted from Enrolled Midwife to Assistant Nursing Officer (Midwifery).
Barugahara also ordered investigations into former Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Ezra Ndyahabwe and members of the District Service Commission over allegations of extorting 30 million Shillings from Julian Musiimenta and Julian Tusasirwe in exchange for recruitment, appointment letters and deployment as midwives in Buhweju District.
He alleged that in February 2025, the former Deputy CAO, working together with the District Service Commission and a man identified only as Gilbert, alias Kakogoso, conspired to solicit the money from the two job applicants in return for employment-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
