Luuka district engineers charged for stealing fuel worth Shs222m

The accused Luuka District officials arrive at the Iganga Chief Magistrate’s Court to face charges related to fuel theft and selling of government jobs.

Luuka, Uganda: Three officials from Luuka District Local Government have been charged before court on multiple counts including conspiracy to commit a felony, theft of fuel and selling government jobs, as the State House Anti-Corruption Unit intensifies its crackdown on corruption in local governments.

The suspects were arraigned in court on Monday, December 22, by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate.

Presiding over the case at the Iganga Chief Magistrate’s Court, Daniel Epobu Kiboko heard that Musisi Rajab, the Acting District Engineer, and Sengoba Daniel, an Assistant Engineering Officer (Civil), allegedly conspired to steal fuel meant for road works in Luuka District.

According to the charge sheet, the two, together with Kayeyera Bernard, who is still on the run, allegedly misappropriated fuel valued at UGX 222,396,900 during the Financial Year 2024/2025. The fuel was part of the UGX 1 billion Road Maintenance Grant allocated to the district.

The fuel was intended for works on several roads, including Busanda–Ikumbya Road, Busalamu–Waibuga Road, Ikumbya–Nantamali Road, Bukoova–Nawaka Road and Kyanvuma–Wandago Road.

Prosecution alleges that the three engineers inflated fuel requirements for road projects before irregularly drawing and diverting the fuel, sometimes issuing it to private individuals outside approved works.

The court heard that the suspects allegedly colluded with fuel station managers in Iganga and Luuka districts to falsify accountability records, indicating that the fuel had been issued to works department drivers—claims the drivers later denied.

Musisi and Sengoba were charged with six counts related to theft of fuel and conspiracy to commit felony. They denied all charges.

LUUKA DISTRICT OFFICIALS CHARGED AND REMANDED FOR STEALING FUEL MEANT FOR ROAD WORKS AND SELLING OF JOBS@AntiGraft_SH along with @ODPPUGANDA and @CID1_UG have arraigned;

1. Musisi Rajab, the Ag. District Engineer

2. Sengoba Daniel, Assistant Engineering Officer/Civil of Luuka… pic.twitter.com/0u9HRlveTi

— Anti Corruption Unit – State House Uganda (@AntiGraft_SH) December 22, 2025

In a related case, Muduuli George, the Head Teacher of Tabingwa Primary School, was also charged with extortion and selling government jobs during district recruitment exercises.

Muduuli is accused of soliciting between UGX 5.7 million and UGX 17 million from job applicants, including one Muzira George, claiming the money would be paid to members of the District Service Commission to secure government jobs. He denied the charges and applied for bail.

Prosecution opposed the bail application, informing court that investigations were still ongoing, particularly into the alleged involvement of members of the District Service Commission in corruption schemes within Luuka District.

Chief Magistrate Kiboko remanded all the suspects until January 8, 2026, but reminded them of their constitutional right to apply for bail on the same date when the matter returns to court.