Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara has ordered the arrest and interdiction of several Masindi District and Municipal Council officials accused of corruption, abuse of office, extortion, causing financial loss and mismanagement of public funds.

The officials, from the works, finance, production, procurement, education, health, water and environment departments, were named during Barugahara’s “Expose the Corrupt Campaign” at Kabango Primary School in Kabango Town Council on Wednesday.

Among those named are Benjamin Byarugaba, the former chairperson of the Masindi District Service Commission, and Angela Nyandera, the commission’s secretary, who were accused of soliciting money from job seekers in exchange for government jobs.

Several complainants told the meeting that they had paid between Shs5 million and Shs20 million for jobs but were not appointed.

Night Hawa, 36, a resident of Kinubi Cell in Hoima City, alleged that she paid Shs16 million after applying for the position of environment officer at Masindi Municipal Council in 2025.

According to Hawa, Byarugaba allegedly told her that Shs10 million would go to him while Shs6 million would be remitted to the Public Service Commission.

She said she did not get the job despite making the payment.

Barugahara subsequently directed police to arrest Byarugaba and Nyandera. The two officials were absent from the meeting and could not respond to the allegations.

The minister also ordered the arrest of Dr Fred Sebuguzi, the former acting production officer, over allegations that he misappropriated Shs110 million meant for a micro-scale irrigation project.

Barugahara further directed the town clerk of Masindi Municipal Council to interdict Principal Education Officer Sam Peter Ayebale and Building Engineer Robert Magezi over the management of Shs120 million allocated to renovate five classroom blocks at Kamurasi Demonstration Primary School.

He also ordered the arrest and interdiction of Godfrey Mirimo, the principal health officer at Masindi Municipal Council, over alleged mismanagement of funds meant to connect electricity to Kibwona Health Centre II, Kibyama Health Centre II and Katasenywa Health Centre III.