RUBANDA – Senior officials of Rubanda District Local Government, including Chief Administrative Officer Alex Kwizera, Senior Procurement Officer Medard Asiimwe, Production and Marketing Officer Benon Kahangi and Chief Finance Officer Livingston Natukunda, are secretly negotiating a deal with the government to refund over Shs 200 million of misappropriated funds. They allegedly conspired to siphon taxpayer funds between 2023 and 2024, meant for developmental projects like micro-scale irrigation systems and apiary demonstration farms.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) became aware of the gross misuse of funds after an exposé earlier this year and interrogated the four suspects. Upon realizing the investigation was closing in, the officials allegedly held secret meetings in the CAO’s office to plot a repayment deal and avoid prosecution.
Their lobbying efforts targeted powerful figures, including Chief of CID Maj Gen Tom Magambo and Director of Public Prosecutions Jane Frances Abodo, urging them to bury the case files or delay prosecution. Sources indicate that these efforts have sparked widespread speculation that their high-level connections may shield them from justice.
Benon Kahangi, the Production and Marketing Officer, is believed to be the mastermind behind the scheme. As the focal person for the misappropriated projects, Kahangi allegedly forged documents, including signatures from district leaders, and falsified goods received notes to justify the misuse of funds. When the forgery came to light, Kahangi brazenly told his juniors, “This is my time to eat; yours will come.”
Kahangi’s role in the scandal was so egregious that he was interdicted from his duties as soon as the Inspectorate of Government began investigating. Yet, shockingly, Kahangi was reinstated to his position after six months due to a technicality in public standing orders, allowing him to return to office despite damning evidence.
Livingston Natukunda, the district’s Chief Finance Officer, authorized payments despite lacking documentation, facilitating the fraud. Medard Asiimwe, the Senior Procurement Officer, overlooked procurement procedures and allegedly forged Contracts Committee minutes.
Chief Administrative Officer Alex Kwizera allowed fraudulent transactions to proceed unchecked, sparking questions about whether he personally benefited from the scheme. As the district’s top civil servant, Kwizera should have been the watchdog overseeing all district projects.
The stakes are high for these officials, as the Inspectorate of Government Act (2005), Anti Corruption Act (2009), Public Service Act (2008) and Leadership Code Act (2002) mandate that any public officer charged with corruption must step aside until cleared by the court. Fearful of losing lucrative positions and damaging their reputations, the four have scrambled to protect themselves.
While their attempts to escape justice seem to have stalled legal proceedings, the public watches closely. As the investigation gathers dust, one question remains: Will justice prevail, or will corrupt officials continue to enjoy the fruits of their crimes, shielded by high-level connections?
