The former Mbarara City Town Clerk, Abirebe Assy Tumwesigire, has been charged with abuse of office over an alleged irregular licence agreement granting ATC Uganda Limited access to parts of Mbarara Central Market.

Tumwesigire was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on Friday and remanded in custody until September 16, 2026.

His arrest and prosecution follow investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Prosecution alleges that in October 2022, while serving as Town Clerk of Mbarara City, Tumwesigire abused the authority of his office by entering into a licence agreement with ATC Uganda Limited on behalf of the city.

The agreement allegedly provided for the use of space on the rooftop and ground area of Mbarara Central Market for the installation of telecommunications infrastructure, including antennas, equipment, poles, cable trays, a generator area and the distribution of in-building antenna systems.

The prosecution alleges that the agreement was entered into without following the established procedures and applicable laws governing such transactions.

The State contends that the alleged conduct constituted an arbitrary act that was prejudicial to the interests of his employer, the Ministry of Local Government.

Tumwesigire was serving in Mbarara City after being posted there by the Ministry of Local Government.

The authorities said other individuals allegedly involved in the transaction are still at large.

The arraignment comes amid intensified government efforts to investigate and prosecute suspected cases of corruption and abuse of office in local government institutions.

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit said the case is part of the ongoing “Expose the Corrupt” national campaign, which is being spearheaded by the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, to strengthen accountability and combat corruption in local governments.