A major corruption scandal has hit Butambala District, with four senior local government officials charged in court for allegedly stealing fuel worth over UGX 431 million meant for road maintenance under the UGX 1 billion Road Maintenance Grant.
The accused — Naigembe Jesica (Ag. District Engineer), Wandera Joseph (Chief Financial Officer), Muwaga Fred (District Internal Auditor), and Kizito Charles Mukalazi (Driver) — were arraigned before the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of Theft of Fuel and Conspiracy to Defraud.
The quartet was remanded until July 28, 2025, as investigations continue. The case is being prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), working in coordination with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Fuel Scam Unveiled
According to the charge sheet, between April and June 2024, the accused allegedly misappropriated 80,000.86 litres of fuel worth UGX 431,447,400. This fuel was part of a UGX 1 billion road maintenance grant intended for road infrastructure development and rehabilitation across the district.
The investigators revealed a well-coordinated scheme in which Naigembe Jesica and the Ag. District Water Officer, Kayinga Geoffrey (who is currently on the run), inflated the fuel requirements for road projects. They then drew the excess fuel irregularly or issued it to private individuals for personal gain.
To mask the theft, the two engineers allegedly colluded with fuel station managers to falsify records and accountabilities, indicating that the fuel was issued to Works Department drivers, many of whom denied ever receiving or using the said fuel.
Wandera Joseph and Muwaga Fred, the CFO and Internal Auditor, respectively, have been faulted for failing to supervise the engineers, despite being entrusted with oversight of the road maintenance funds. Evidence gathered during investigations suggests that both officials also benefited from the stolen fuel.
“This level of abuse of public funds is unacceptable. The fuel was meant to improve road infrastructure for the people of Butambala, not to enrich corrupt officials,” said a senior officer from the Anti-Corruption Unit.
The ongoing probe is expected to widen as authorities pursue Kayinga Geoffrey, the fugitive engineer, and possibly other accomplices within the fuel supply chain.
The arrests have sparked outrage among residents and civil society groups, who demand stronger accountability and tighter controls over public funds.
The case underscores ongoing efforts by anti-graft agencies to clamp down on corruption at district and local government levels, where billions in taxpayer funds continue to leak through fraud and mismanagement.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit has urged citizens to continue reporting such incidents, assuring the public that no one involved in the theft of public resources will be shielded.