Ntungamo HR Officer Interdicted Again Over Irregular Payroll Reinstatements

In a letter dated October 24, 2025, the Ntungamo Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Fidelis Kiiza, directed Muhirwe to hand over office to Human Resource Officer Naboth Ayebazibwe by October 27.

The Principal Human Resource Officer of Ntungamo District, Jennifer Muhirwe, has been interdicted for the second time over allegations of unauthorized reinstatement of staff onto the district payroll.

In a letter dated October 24, 2025, the Ntungamo Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Fidelis Kiiza, directed Muhirwe to hand over office to Human Resource Officer Naboth Ayebazibwe by October 27. The interdiction follows a communication to the CAO’s office from the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations at Ntungamo Police Station, indicating that Muhirwe is under police investigation.

According to a case file sanctioned by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the matter arises from the alleged unlawful reinstatement of staff onto the Ntungamo District Local Government payroll by district employees.

The officers said to have been reinstated are Frank Kabireho, an anesthetic officer at Rwashamaire Health Centre IV; Marion Tumanyane, assistant health officer at Kitwe Health Centre IV; Julius Mbeine, enrolled nurse at Rwoho Health Centre II; Adrian Karuhanga, enrolled nurse at Rukarango Health Centre II; Jeremy Bimanyoha, enrolled nurse at Kyamashwa Health Centre II; and Wilber Tumusiime, enrolled nurse at Rwanda Health Centre II.It is alleged that Muhirwe reinstated the six officers after the government increased salaries for scientists, taking advantage of the adjustment to re-enter them onto the payroll without authorization.

In his letter, Kiiza noted that after reviewing the evidence, the DPP returned the file to Police to complete investigations and determine the appropriate charges against the implicated officials.

He further explained that key documents required for the investigations, including the district payroll, personal files, and pay slips, are under the custody of the Principal Human Resource Officer as outlined in her job description.

“Since the documents required to facilitate the said investigations are under the custody of the officer being investigated, and given that certification requires the official stamp of the Principal Human Resource Officer, which is also in your possession, there is no way an officer under investigation can process and certify documents to facilitate smooth investigations,” the letter reads in part.

Citing the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, Kiiza interdicted Muhirwe from exercising the powers and functions of her office effective October 27, 2025. He directed Ayebazibwe to cooperate with investigators and provide all required documents to enable the Police to conclude their inquiries. Muhirwe has also been instructed to appear before the District Rewards and Sanctions Committee on a date yet to be communicated.

This marks the second interdiction for Muhirwe within the year. Her first came on May 21, 2025, following similar allegations of irregularly reinstating the same six officers who had reportedly absconded from duty for over ten years, according to the District Health Officer.

That action followed a directive from Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, dated May 15, 2025, instructing the CAO to suspend Muhirwe pending investigations into her alleged misconduct.