Bududa Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Juliet Solome Namara was not arrested after admitting to receiving Shs1 million from a woman who accused her of taking the money to help secure her recruitment into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Namara’s non-arrest has raised questions among some residents amid an ongoing corruption crackdown in the district led by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi. The questions followed the arrest of seven Bududa district officials over allegations including corruption, misuse of public funds, abuse of office and theft.
The officials arrested are David Muwoya Wekhoola, acting district education officer; Beatrice Wakooli, district community development officer; Hashim Wafula, district commercial officer; Grace Nabutasale, district internal auditor; Naume Muganwa, district inspector of schools; Bernard Madoi, assistant RDC; and Hassan Mangobe, another assistant RDC.They were arrested on Thursday during Balaam’s “Expose the Corrupt” campaign in Bududa.
During the rally, residents were given an opportunity to raise complaints and report alleged corruption and other irregularities. A woman used the opportunity to accuse Namara of receiving Shs1 million, allegedly promising to help her secure recruitment into the UPDF. The woman reportedly presented voice recordings to the minister, which she said were exchanged between her and the RDC.
Namara subsequently admitted receiving the money saying it was for passing on to an army officer and refunded it in the presence of Minister Balaam and members of the public. However, she was not arrested, while the seven officials remained in custody at Bududa Central Police Station.
The development prompted some residents to question why the RDC was not subjected to a similar arrest process. Rachael Nabulo, a Bududa resident, described the handling of the matter as selective. “This is not good. It looks selective,” Nabulo said.
Nabulo questioned why officials facing allegations remained in police custody while Namara, whom she said had admitted receiving the money and refunded it publicly, was not arrested. She said treating people accused of wrongdoing differently could undermine public confidence in the anti-corruption campaign.
Another resident, Juma Weswa, said disciplinary or legal action against people suspected of wrongdoing should be applied consistently. Weswa said the minister had started the campaign well but questioned how the handling of the RDC’s case could affect public confidence in the exercise. “If it is arrest, then all people should be subjected to the same treatment, not segregate,” he said.
Peter Wambalo, another resident, said he expected Namara to be arrested after she admitted receiving the money. “I thought, and even told my friends nearby, that after the RDC admitted receiving the money, she was going to be arrested. I was surprised to see her outside while other officials, including her two assistant RDCs, are in jail,” Wambalo said.
The circumstances surrounding Namara’s non-arrest were not immediately clear. Efforts to obtain a comment from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit were unsuccessful by press time. It was also unclear whether investigators had established sufficient grounds for her arrest or whether another legal process was being pursued. By press time, the seven arrested officials were still being held at Bududa Central Police Station as investigations continued-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
