Pakwach Town Clerk and Engineer Arrested Over Shoddy Shs1 Billion Road

Balaam interacting with Pakwach district officials.

Minister of Local Government Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has cracked the whip in Pakwach District, ordering the arrest of Town Clerk Adriko Simon and District Engineer Omeri Bonny over a shoddy Shs1 billion road project and directing probes into alleged mismanagement at key health facilities, as part of his ongoing nationwide “Expose the Corrupt” campaign.

The minister who visited Pakwach on Thursday August 13, found “visible substandard and shoddy work” on a 1.1km road for which Shs900 million had already been paid. He ordered the officials’ arrest after they reportedly could not account for the funds or explain the poor quality of the works.

Barugahara also directed the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to fully investigate the construction of buildings at Panyimur Health Centre III, a project valued at approximately Shs2.9 billion.

Separately, he raised red flags over alleged mismanagement at Boro Health Centre II, accusing facility managers of defying directives and carrying out substandard maternity works.

The visit forms part of the minister’s broader anti-corruption crusade across Uganda’s local governments.

Barugahara has been touring districts to inspect government projects, engage residents, and act on complaints of embezzlement, abuse of office, and poor service delivery.

He announced in advance that he would visit Pakwach “to clean that system.”

Key drivers for the Pakwach stop included concerns raised by Woman MP Jane Avur Pacuto about the Parish Development Model (PDM), including reports that beneficiaries were charged money to access funds.

Ssozi Galabuzi, head of the PDM secretariat, confirmed that issues flagged by the MP during an NRM MPs’ retreat were among the main reasons for the team’s presence.

Local leaders and residents also highlighted incomplete projects, road fund misuse, and service delivery failures.

President Yoweri Museveni directed the overall push against corruption in local governments.

Barugahara has repeatedly stated that the President wants Uganda free of corruption and that the government is committed to that agenda.

Museveni appointed Barugahara (and State Minister Justine Nameere) to the Local Government portfolio in May 2026 precisely because of their confrontational style, describing them as “quarrelsome” individuals suited to confront those stealing from development programmes.

Barugahara has framed his work as implementing the President’s directive, saying he came “with the broom to sweep Pakwach” and to “flush out all the particles that are making the President’s work difficult.”

Since assuming office as Minister of Local Government in late May 2026 , Barugahara has led a high-profile “Expose the Corrupt” campaign.

He has conducted unannounced inspections of roads, health centres, schools and other projects in multiple districts, often resulting in on-the-spot arrests, interdictions and referrals to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, CID and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Similar actions have occurred in eastern Uganda including Bulambuli and Mbale, where engineers and other officials were arrested over road funds and ghost workers and in western Uganda Mbarara City, Isingiro and Buhweju, where dozens of officials faced interdiction or arrest over financial mismanagement and irregular contracts.

The campaign emphasises recovering misused public funds, ensuring projects meet standards, and making local government officials accountable.

In Pakwach, Barugahara was welcomed by district leaders including Chairman Shaban Ofoi Kinobe and the Resident District Commissioner.

He held a public “Expose the Corrupt” rally that drew a large turnout, appeared on local radio, and engaged residents on issues ranging from roads and health infrastructure to fishing-related concerns.

He stressed that the goal is not only arrests but lasting accountability and improved service delivery.