Senior Government Official Remanded Over Shs20.6 Million Theft

The Anti-Corruption court in Kampala has remanded Nwoya district Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Jenaphar Nantume Egunyu to Luzira Maximum Security Prison over alleged abuse of office.

Nantume was arrested on Monday by police officers in Nwoya district following an ongoing investigation by the Inspectorate of Government (IG). She appeared chief magistrate Peter Fred Lochomin on Tuesday.

Farouk Kayondo, deputy spokesperson of the Inspectorate of Government, said that Nantume was remanded until May 4, 2026. She was remanded along with Fred Kalisa, a farmer from Got Okwara village in Lungulu sub-county.

According to the charges levelled by the IG, Nantume is alleged to have, between January 2023 and December 2024, abused her authority by disregarding established procedures for the establishment of animal markets.

According to the charges, Nantume is accused of authorising the operation of an illegal animal market in Got Okwara village in actions said to have been prejudicial to the interests of Nwoya district local government.

Kalisa however, is facing alleged charges of managing an illegal animal market during the same period between January 2023 and December 2024, stole approximately Shs 20.6 million belonging to Nwoya District Local Government.

Both suspects, according to Kayondo, denied all the allegations against them during their plea-taking at the Anti-Corruption court. Their attempts to seek for bail were also unsuccessful as they had no proper documentation, according to Kayondo.

Initially, the inspectorate of government in an earlier statement indicated the suspects were arrested along with Ronald Wanda, a businessman from Kiyindi in Buikwe district, who is facing similar charges with Kalisa.