Gov’t officials remanded over corruption, abuse of office

KAMPALA - Twelve government officials have been remanded to Luzira Prison over allegedly creating ghost workers on the government payroll.

The officials from various government agencies, including Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) and Uganda Police Force, are part of the racket behind the over sh53b financial loss to government.

The money was allegedly paid to ghost workers in the different entities, according to investigations by Police’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID).

Rachael Tusuubira

Jennifer Etiti Okaka, Human Resource Manager, UCAA, appearing in court.

Some of the officials who were remanded include UCAA human resource manager Jennifer Etit Okaka, MUBS chief quality assurance officer Jacqueline Namaganda, Entebbe hospital senior accountant Wallyah Nalweyiso, Entebbe hospital human resource officer Paul Kikulwe, and principal human resource officer attached to Police headquarters, Naguru Dorah Aryatuha.

The accused persons were today (August 12, 2025) charged with causing financial loss, abuse of office, corruption, theft and neglect of duty before the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero, Kampala. They denied the charges.

Under the Anti-Corruption Court Act, the offence of causing financial loss attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment, on conviction, while corruption elicits a 10-year jail term.

James Sekalumba

The offence of abuse of office attracts a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment.

Meanwhile, under the Penal Code Act, the offence of theft attracts a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment, upon conviction.

The courts were presided over by Chief Magistrate Racheal Nakyazze, Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe, Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit and Paul Mujuni.

The magistrates issued criminal summons against suspects who did not turn up in court, including the former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) principal, Prof. Wasswa Balunywa Balunywa, UCAA legal services manager Joel Joseph Okwalinga and UCAA security assistant Irene  Atukunda Kagume.

The prosecutors informed the court that inquiries into the matter are complete and asked the court to fix a hearing date.

“Investigations are complete and we pray for time to disclose the evidence we intend to use against the accused to the defence lawyers,” the Principal Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Hope Caroline Nabasa, who appeared before magistrate Opit, requested.

Jacqueline Namaganda, 47 years, a former MUBS Ag.Human Resource manager and payroll officer. (All Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that Okaka, between June  2023 and November 2023, caused financial loss of sh17m when she omitted to update the payroll system for the deletion of Atukunda.

Atukunda allegedly received sh146.5m in monthly salary and terminal benefits when she absented herself from work. She was working as a UCAA security assistant.

Meanwhile, Okwalinga is accused of irregularly accepting Atukunda’s resignation without undergoing a disciplinary hearing.

Prosecution alleges that the former Balunywa, between March 15, 2023 and April 13, 2023,  in abuse of his office, recruited James Arike, Nathan Nuwagira and Nimrod Kakayi as administrative assistants, well knowing they did not have the academic qualifications for the said positions, thereby creating ineligible costs for the Government.

Prosecution purports that Ngabirano, between April 2022 and November 2024, being employed by the Government as a security guard at MUBs in Kampala, caused financial loss of sh41.6m by not reporting for duty while receiving the said money as salary, an act he knew would cause financial loss to the Government.