Anti-Corruption Unit Nets Five Kisoro Officials Over Job Scam, CAO on the Run

Anti-Corruption Unit Nets Five Kisoro Officials Over Job Scam, CAO on the Run

Five Kisoro district officials have been detained over allegations of collecting millions of shillings from job seekers, while three other suspects remain at large.

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), has detained five Kisoro District Local Government officials over allegations of soliciting and receiving money from job seekers in exchange for government jobs.

The suspects, who include the Kisoro District Speaker and Chairperson of the District Service Commission (DSC), have been transferred to Kampala for further interrogation.

Those in custody are Kisoro District Speaker Hakizimana Amos, DSC Chairperson Erastus Nshaka, DSC member Richard Turamuhawe, District Councillor John Mfitumukiza and alleged middleman Alphonse Muhanika.

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Two other suspects, DSC Secretary Francesca Mugisha and teacher-turned-middleman Alex Matata, remain at large, while Kisoro Chief Administrative Officer John Nyakahuma is also reportedly on the run over the same allegations.

According to a statement by Anti-Corruption Unit public relations officer Mariam Natasha, preliminary investigations indicate that between October and December 2025, the suspects and others still being sought allegedly solicited and received about Shs200 million from various job seekers.

Investigators have recovered WhatsApp conversations, mobile money transactions and other communications allegedly linking the suspects to job applicants.

Case files released by investigators detail several incidents forming part of the broader investigation.

In one case, Hakizimana is accused of soliciting and receiving about Shs11.5 million from several applicants between October and December 2025, allegedly promising to influence their recruitment through the Kisoro District Service Commission.

Investigators say they have statements from alleged victims, WhatsApp messages linking Hakizimana to Nshaka and an admission by Hakizimana that he received and used the money.

Some of the applicants were later appointed while others were not. Investigators say Hakizimana refunded Shs8 million, which was recovered and exhibited as evidence.

Nshaka is also implicated in several separate allegations.

In one case dating back to 2023, he allegedly received Shs8 million from businessman Charles Mbarusha after demanding Shs15 million to secure a Clinical Officer position for Mbarusha's sister, Mutuzo Jolly.

Mutuzo reportedly attended and passed the interview but was not appointed, and the money was not refunded.

Following the complaint and Nshaka's arrest, DSC Secretary Mugisha allegedly approached Mbarusha and offered to refund Shs10 million if he withdrew the complaint. Mugisha is currently at large.

In another case, Nshaka is accused of demanding 100 bags of cement from enrolled nurse Nirere Ivan as an inducement for a government job, allegedly acting through Muhanika.

On March 10, 2024, Ivan reportedly delivered 50 bags of cement to Nshaka's construction site in Nyakabande, with the balance expected after the appointment. However, the promised job did not materialise.

The suspects are to be charged under with corruption by a public officer, abuse of office and corruption by an agent.

Another case alleges that Nshaka and DSC member Turamuhawe solicited and received Shs10 million from Turikumwe Brian in February 2026 as an inducement for an Assistant Town Clerk position.

Investigators allege that Turamuhawe introduced Brian to Nshaka and directed him to deliver the money to Nshaka's residence in Kanyabukungu Village.

Brian was reportedly shortlisted and interviewed but was not appointed.

In a separate case, District Councillor Mfitumukiza was arrested after Bazamanzo Nelson allegedly paid him Shs8 million to secure a government midwifery position for his sister, Nyirabatega Pamela.

Investigators allege that Mfitumukiza failed to secure the job and later began avoiding the complainant.

He is expected to face a charge of obtaining money by false pretences.

The Anti-Corruption Unit said investigations are at an advanced stage and that once completed, the suspects will be charged before the Anti-Corruption Court.

The Unit has urged members of the public who were asked to pay, or who paid money to the suspects or other individuals in connection with securing jobs, to come forward and provide information to investigators.

Meanwhile, Mfitumukiza denied soliciting bribes from job applicants, saying he only helped people from his community to secure employment.

Their lawyer, Rodgers Nabasa, said his clients are innocent until proven guilty and have a right to defend themselves.