FOUR MBALE DISTRICT OFFICIALS ARRAIGNED OVER ABUSE OF OFFICE
By Angel Lubowa
The no nonsense SH_ACU working together with Uganda police and the DPP, arraigned four Mbale District officials before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court following their arrest during the “Expose the Corrupt” campaign led by the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara.
The accused include, Dr. Wangisi Jonathan the District Health Officer (DHO),Khaukha Sam Paddy , the District Education Officer (DEO) ,Walufu Asadi – District Inspector of Schools (DIS) and
Nabiryo Betty Wamanga ,the Head Teacher, Nabumali Secondary School
Dr. Wangisi was charged with Abuse of Office and Corruption through Neglect of Duty and was remanded until 4 August 2026 after he denied the alleged chsrges.
Investigations indicate that between 2023 and 2024, Dr. Wangisi, while serving as District Health Officer for Mbale District Local Government, allegedly abused his office by irregularly transferring health workers from various health centres to Busia Health Centre IV without consulting or obtaining approval from the Chief Administrative Officer, contrary to the established procedures governing staff deployment.
The transfers reportedly left the affected health facilities understaffed, disrupting healthcare service delivery.
He is also accused of neglecting his statutory duties as DHO, including assessing staffing needs, monitoring leave schedules, and coordinating the deployment of health workers across the district, which further worsened the staffing shortages.
In a separate matter, Mr. Khaukha and Mr. Walufu was charged with Corruption through Neglect of Duty, while Ms. Nabiryo was charged with Abuse of Office.
The three were remanded until 6 August 2026 after they too denied the alleged charges.
Investigations established that betweenF/Y 2024/2025 and 2025/2026, Ms. Nabiryo, while serving as Head Teacher of Nabumali Secondary School, allegedly abused her office by unlawfully charging students additional fees in contravention of the Education Act and the Universal Secondary Education (USE) Policy Guidelines.
The investigations further revealed that Mr. Khaukha and Mr. Walufu allegedly neglected their duties as DEO AND DIS respectively, by failing to effectively monitor and inspect schools within Mbale District, allowing the unlawful collection of fees from students in government-aided schools, including Nabumali Secondary School.
These arrests form part of the nationwide “Expose the Corrupt” campaign spearheaded by the Minister of Local Government, to strengthen accountability and hold corrupt officials in local governments accountable.
