The Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has recommended the immediate recall of the Jinja Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to the head office to pave the way for a sweeping forensic corruption investigation.
The minister made the directive on Wednesday morning during a special council sitting of the Jinja District Council.
The accountability session, organized at the invitation of the District Speaker, was specifically called to expose and eliminate deep-seated corruption bottlenecks hindering municipal service delivery.
The extraordinary sitting was attended by Jinja District Members of Parliament, regional security chiefs, the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Prof. Lubale Grace, and the Jinja District Chairperson.
Hon. Barugahara commended the District Speaker and local councillors for their bravery in presenting actionable whistleblower evidence regarding internal structural corruption.
To ensure a transparent process, the minister proposed that the CAO step aside so that the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) can execute a comprehensive desk audit into the administrative and financial affairs of the district.
The special sitting also served as the official launchpad for two aggressive national anti-graft initiatives: the “Kisanja End Corruption in Local Government” and the “Expose the Corrupt” campaigns.
The nationwide operational drives are designed to strengthen administrative accountability, promote absolute transparency, and safeguard public resources across all decentralized local governments.
Following the Jinja intervention, the minister confirmed that the anti-corruption crackdown will head next to Mbale District.
“The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility, and together we shall restore public trust and safeguard public resources for the benefit of all Ugandans,” Hon. Barugahara stated.