Thousands of residents expected to benefit from the UGX 2.2 billion Buyobo-Bubyangu Gravity Flow Water Scheme are still without clean piped water after the government-funded project allegedly failed to deliver its intended services, prompting the arrest of the Mbale District Water Engineer.
Simon Peter Wandera was arrested over the alleged mismanagement of the Buyobo-Bubyangu Gravity Flow Water Scheme and is being held at Mbale Central Police Station as investigations continue. The arrest was ordered by the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, who said the engineer is assisting investigators probing the implementation of the project.
According to Barugahara, the Buyobo-Bubyangu Gravity Flow Water Scheme was established to provide clean, free piped water to rural communities in Mbale District by harnessing water from the Mount Elgon ecosystem. However, preliminary findings indicate that the project has failed to deliver the expected services despite the substantial public investment. He said concerns arose after authorities found that public taps connected to the scheme were not supplying water to the intended beneficiaries.
“The Water Engineer of Mbale District, Eng. Wandera Simon Peter, is currently detained at CPS Mbale. This follows his arrest in connection with alleged mismanagement of the Buyobo-Bubyangu Gravity Flow Scheme in Mbale District,” Barugahara said. He added that it was regrettable that the public taps remained dry despite the significant investment intended to improve access to safe water.
“Regrettably, all connected public taps are dry, despite the massive investment intended to serve the people,” he said. Barugahara warned contractors and technical officers involved in government projects against substandard work and negligence, saying all public investments must deliver value for money. “All contractors are hereby put on notice to desist from substandard work. Government projects must meet the required standards and deliver real value to Ugandans,” he said.
Elgon Region Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika confirmed the arrest, saying Wandera remains in police custody as investigators record statements from relevant stakeholders. “I can confirm that Eng. Wandera Simon Peter is being held at Mbale Central Police Station to assist police with investigations into allegations surrounding the Buyobo-Bubyangu Gravity Flow Water Scheme. Inquiries are ongoing, and statements are being recorded from relevant stakeholders,” Taitika said.
The arrest comes just days after the detention of Mbale District Engineer Robert Nakimoro over allegations of causing financial loss to the government through failure to properly supervise road construction works. Investigators said preliminary findings pointed to lapses in project oversight that may have compromised the quality and value of the works. The two arrests have intensified scrutiny of the implementation and supervision of public infrastructure projects in Mbale District, with government pledging to hold accountable any officials found responsible for negligence or mismanagement.
The Buyobo-Bubyangu Gravity Flow Water Scheme was expected to improve access to clean and reliable water for thousands of residents in the Mount Elgon region, where many communities continue to face persistent water shortages. Police and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the implementation of the project and determine whether any public funds were mismanaged-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
