The Ministry of Local Government has ordered the interdiction of five senior officials and two head teachers of Maracha District over alleged mismanagement of public funds, negligence of duty and abuse of office, which have affected service delivery in sectors like education and health.
The directive was issued to Maracha District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ben Kumumanya, following the recent visit by Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, as part of his anti-corruption programme.
Sixteen district staff members were arrested in connection with alleged corruption-related offences, including mismanagement of funds meant for implementing projects, inflation of learners’ numbers and irregularities in management of Parish Development Model (PDM) programme.
In two separate letters dated 18th and 20th August 2026, addressed to the CAO, the Permanent Secretary ordered the interdiction of District Engineer Timothy Ezati, District Education Officer Maxwell Asiki, District Health Officer Paul Onzubo, Principal Human Resource Officer Cosmas Mukile and Assistant Engineer Herbert Edria.
Others are Midria Primary School Head Teacher Alred Adima and Koyi Primary School Head Teacher Nelson Ohakumva. The Head Teacher of Kololo Seed Secondary School, Yiko Drabo, was referred to Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Education and Sports for disciplinary action over alleged illegal and extra school fees charged to learners, as well as the inflation of student numbers.
“Accordingly, it has been decided that the above-mentioned officials be interdicted to pave way for investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other relevant government agencies” PS Ben Kumumanya stated in the letters.
The officials remained detained at Maracha Police Station where they have been held since their arrest last week. This includes those listed for interdiction under directive by Ministry of Local Government.
The directive to interdict the officials has not yet been implemented by Maracha District CAO, Peter Erisu Emwos, who said he had not received official communication and had only seen the letters circulating on social media.
However, District Chairperson, Emmanuel Wani, confirmed the directives, saying that they were communicated in the letters from Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government.
Wani also confirmed that the Permanent Secretary had extended the directive to Ministry of Education and Sports to consider disciplinary action against the Head Teacher of Kololo Seed Secondary School over alleged mismanagement and the charging of extra fees to learners.
Although district leaders welcomed the efforts to eradicate corruption and promote transparency and accountability, they expressed concern that the arrest and interdiction of heads of departments could affect service delivery.
The Ministry based its decision to interdict the officials on Section (F-s) 14 of the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021. A similar incident occurred in 2022, when four Maracha District officials were recommended for interdiction by Inspectorate of Government (IG) over alleged mismanagement of funds meant for infrastructural development at Kololo Seed Secondary School. Thn District CAO, Paul Walakira, was later arrested for allegedly failing to interdict the district officials who were recommended for interdiction by Inspectorate of Government in connection with the case-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
