The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has unveiled a sweeping crackdown on corruption, naming 202 public officials and private individuals accused of failing to refund a staggering Shs2.36 billion in misappropriated public funds—money investigators say was diverted for personal use at the expense of critical public services.
In a hard-hitting public notice dated March 16, 2026, the IG issued a final ultimatum: clear the outstanding balances by April 30 or face prosecution.
Those listed have also been ordered to appear before the IG by March 31 to reconcile their accounts or risk immediate legal action.
Big Fish in the Net
At the top of the list are senior government officials and technocrats, with some owing hundreds of millions:
- Pius Wakabi Kasajja, former Permanent Secretary at MAAIF, leads the pack with Shs205 million
- Lewis Paul Ayesiga, an accounts assistant at MEMD, owes Shs164.7 million
- Joel Musisi, a former Chief Administrative Officer now a university lecturer in Kampala, owes Shs155 million
- Fisher Martin, a managing director of a private company, is listed with Shs98 million
- Steven Turyamureeba, an internal auditor at MAAIF, owes Shs95.8 million
The list cuts across sectors—education, health, local government, engineering, and even law enforcement—painting a grim picture of systemic abuse of public funds.
Teachers, Doctors, Engineers All Implicated
The IG report reveals that the scandal is not confined to top offices alone. Dozens of headteachers, medical workers, district engineers, and accountants are implicated:
- A doctor from Kyegegwa General Hospital owes over Shs55 million
- A principal petroleum officer at MEMD is listed with Shs53 million
- Several headteachers across districts owe between Shs2 million and Shs40 million
- Even a police officer in Buliisa appears on the list with an outstanding balance
In Kalangala alone, multiple health workers—including midwives and lab technicians—are named, raising concerns about the management of funds in critical healthcare services.
Districts Heavily Hit
District local governments (DLGs) dominate the scandal, with repeated mentions of Bundibugyo, Kotido, Masindi, Nwoya, Kalangala, and Adjumani, among others. Some districts have multiple officials flagged, suggesting deeply entrenched financial mismanagement.
Notably, Kotido District appears frequently, with engineers, finance officers, and administrators all cited for unpaid balances.
A Pattern of Defiance
According to the IG, many of the listed individuals have ignored previous directives to refund the money, prompting the escalation.
“The outstanding balances arise from money which the officers used for personal gain… causing loss to the government,” the notice states, adding that continued non-compliance will result in charges including abuse of office, disobedience of lawful orders, and defiance of statutory directives.
Final Warning Before Prosecution
The IG emphasized that this is a “final reminder”, giving defaulters one last opportunity to be heard in line with principles of natural justice. However, officials warn that failure to comply will trigger swift enforcement measures, including prosecution and possible imprisonment.
Public Trust on the Line
This latest move signals a renewed push by the Inspectorate to restore accountability in public service. With billions lost and essential services affected, the crackdown could mark a turning point—or expose just how deep corruption runs in Uganda’s public sector.
As the March 31 deadline looms, all eyes are now on whether the accused will comply—or face the full force of the law.
See the full list below
