Four senior government officials from Butambala District have been charged in court for stealing thousands of litres of fuel meant for road maintenance. The stolen fuel, valued at over UGX 431 million, was part of a UGX 1 billion Road Maintenance Grant meant to improve roads in the area during the 2023–2024 financial year.
The accused are Naigembe Jesica (Acting District Engineer), Wandera Joseph (Chief Financial Officer), Muwaga Fred (District Internal Auditor), and Kizito Charles Mukalazi (a government driver). They were arraigned before the Butambala Chief Magistrates Court and have been remanded until July 28, 2025. A fifth suspect, Kayinga Geoffrey (Acting District Water Officer), is still on the run.
Investigations led by the Anti-Corruption Unit, working with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), revealed shocking details. The engineers, Jesica and Geoffrey, reportedly inflated the fuel requirements for road projects. Instead of using the correct amount of fuel for the works, they would draw extra fuel and either misuse it or hand it over to private individuals not connected to any official projects.
To hide the fraud, they allegedly worked with fuel station managers to create fake records showing that the fuel had been used by drivers from the district’s Works Department. However, when these drivers were questioned, they denied ever receiving or using the fuel recorded under their names.
The district’s finance and audit officers, Wandera and Muwaga, are accused of failing to supervise the use of the grant money properly. Investigators say both of them also used the fuel irregularly for personal benefit, instead of preventing the theft and holding the engineers accountable.
This case has shocked many, as it highlights the level of corruption affecting vital public services like road maintenance. The stolen fuel was enough to seriously impact road repairs in the district, leaving residents frustrated over poor road conditions.
As the court process continues, many are calling for stronger oversight and tougher penalties for public officials who misuse public funds. Meanwhile, the search is still on for the missing officer, Kayinga Geoffrey, as investigations continue.
