Minister Balaam orders arrest of eight Kiryandongo officials
He directed people occupying spaces allegedly allocated outside the intended beneficiaries to vacate.
Kiryandongo: The Minister for Local Government, Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has ordered the arrest of eight Kiryandongo District officials over alleged irregularities involving market lockups, hospital services and a missing hospital generator.
Among those targeted are Billy Katusiime Bingi, the former LC3 Chairperson of Kigumba Town Council, and Patrick Kabagambe, the Kigumba Market Chairperson, over allegations surrounding the allocation of market lockups to people who were not the intended beneficiaries.
Other officials named are Kiryandongo General Hospital Medical Superintendent Godfrey Kisembo, over a missing hospital generator; laboratory attendant Sam Mpangire, over alleged charging of patients; District Engineer George Niyonzima; Martin Bweyale Town Council Engineer; and Bweyale Town Clerk Tusabe Lydia. The eighth official was not identified in the information provided.
The directives followed complaints raised by market vendors and patients during Minister Barugahara’s visit to the district.
Speaking to vendors at Kigumba Market, Barugahara said market lockups should benefit local communities rather than politicians or civil servants.
He directed people occupying spaces allegedly allocated outside the intended beneficiaries to vacate.
At Kiryandongo General Hospital, patients complained of alleged extortion, including charges related to mortuary services.
Some patients also called for the removal of the hospital’s private wing, arguing that it contributes to alleged extortion at the government facility.
Barugahara warned the hospital administration against charging patients for government services, including mortuary services.
He directed the medical superintendent to record a statement and face arrest to account for the missing hospital generator.
“Market lockups should benefit the local communities, not politicians or civil servants,” Barugahara told vendors.
Hospital authorities appealed to the government to elevate Kiryandongo General Hospital to a regional referral hospital, citing the high number of patients it serves, particularly victims of road crashes.
Kiryandongo District Woman MP Jovia Katusiime Mbabazi and Kibanda South County MP Linos Nompek said the matter had been discussed by the Bunyoro Parliamentary Caucus.
They said plans were underway to meet President Yoweri Museveni over the hospital’s status, adding that about Shs6.7 billion had been secured for hospital expansion and elevation.
Barugahara later addressed a public rally at Kiryandongo COU Playground.
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