13 Suspected Corrupt Officials on Wanted List as corruption Saga extends to PDM, Emyooga , Cattle Re-stocking and Ghost pupils scam.
BY OUR REPORTERS
ALEBTONG – More Arrests looms in Alebtong District as Security cracks whip on Corruption. A team of security officials implementing “Kisanja No Sleep No Corruption” in Alebtong District have vowed to intensify crackdown on corruption, with more arrests expected in the coming days with the list swelling to about 13 suspects who are now most wanted for alleged corruption.
A senior security official in the district, who preferred anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said at least 13 suspected corrupt officials are on the radar for arrest and prosecution. The suspects are linked to alleged mismanagement of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, restocking, Emyooga programmes in several sub-counties and ghost pupils scam by spotted education officials and some Headteachers.
Two more headteachers and a senior district official are among those yet to be arrested as investigations continue.
“Hand yourselves over to the police or report before you are arrested. It will not be business as usual in Alebtong. There is no room for intimidation of security officers,” the official warned.
The warning comes amid growing public outcry, with residents in Alebtong calling upon the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, and central government to transfer suspects in the ghost pupils scandal to the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala.
Residents from Omoro, Adwir and Angetta sub-counties have threatened to stage demonstrations against what they describe as a “negative political hand” in Alebtong that allegedly connives with corrupt civil servants to frustrate anti-corruption efforts.
According to the locals, corruption cases in the district, including those involving theft of Road funds, Emyooga funds, PDM and taxpayers’ money, have consistently died at the infancy stage of investigations due to political interference.
“In the last two years, every corruption case has been killed. Suspects are released unconditionally. We are tired,” a resident from Adwir told TAYARI NEWS UGANDA saying they are ready to tell the corrupt in their faces including those ones sealing corruption in Alebtong without fear or favour.
A whistleblower from Adwir also claimed that some political actors are trying to sabotage the “Kisanja No Sleep” anti-corruption campaign and are now openly defending the corrupt.
Another local leader in Akura Sub-county has appealed to Minister Balaam to order the transfer of the three arrested headteachers and Mr. Okabo Pius, the Alebtong Inspector of Schools, to Kampala.
The Ghost Pupils Scam
The matter stems from the arrest of headteachers from three schools – Amononeno Primary School in Abako Sub-county, Owalo Primary School and Amugu Quran Primary School in Amugu Sub-county.
The case was reported to Alebtong Central Police Station by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr Mathias Lutwama, alongside the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) and the Deputy DISO, leading to the opening of General Enquiry File No. 015/2026.
Preliminary findings indicate massive inflation of pupil numbers:
- Amononeno P/S: Declared 1,531 learners instead of 1,000 – an excess of 531 pupils
- Amugu Quran P/S: Declared 371 instead of 174 – an excess of 197 pupils
- Owalo P/S: Declared 1,015 instead of 879 – an excess of 136 pupils
Investigations indicate the inflation has been ongoing for close to five years, with suspects allegedly pocketing hundreds of millions of shillings from capitation grants, where government pays Shs 20,000 per child per year.
The three headteachers – Mr Okwel Norbert (Amononeno), Mr Odong Charles (Amugu Quran) and Mr Okello Emmanuel (Owalo) – were arrested and detained to assist with investigations.
The Police Spokesperson for North Kyoga Region, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, said the alleged inflation is of serious concern because of its implications for government resource allocation.
Residents now want the suspects to be handled by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, and have asked Minister Balaam to urgently intervene in Alebtong to save the anti-corruption fight from sabotage.
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