Ntungamo councillors lock CAO, HR officer’s offices over misuse of office

Ntungamo: Ntungamo District was thrown into chaos as angry district councilors abruptly ended a council session and locked the offices of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Principal Human Resource Officer, accusing them of misuse of office and failing to implement council resolutions.

The standoff stemmed from a December 19, 2024, resolution by the district council, which directed CAO Mathias Ndifuna to interdict Principal Human Resource Officer Jenniffer Muhairwe and Information Technology Officer Julius Ashaba.

The two officials were accused of improperly adding over 10 health workers to the district payroll, despite them having been absent from duty for over a decade. They were also alleged to have forged minutes from the Rewards and Sanctions Committee to falsely claim that the workers had been cleared for reinstatement.

During a Wednesday council meeting, chaired by Speaker Nicholas Twikirize and his deputy Hope Asiimire, councilors were shocked to discover that CAO Ndifuna had defied the resolution and taken no action.

The revelation sparked uproar, leading to the councilors adjourning the meeting and storming the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Isaiah Kanyamahane. An emergency District Security Council meeting was convened, where the councilors reiterated their demand for the immediate interdiction of the implicated officers to facilitate an investigation.

Tensions escalated further when CAO Ndifuna refused to sign an interdiction letter, citing the need for a comprehensive analysis of the legal and administrative implications. Enraged by his refusal, the councilors took matters into their own hands, purchasing padlocks and locking the offices of HR Officer Jenniffer Muhairwe and CAO Ndifuna.

The councilors unanimously accused the CAO of colluding with PHRO Muhairwe to mistreat civil servants and manipulate the payroll. However, Ndifuna defended his position, explaining that he needed more time to assess the situation before taking any action.

The situation remains tense, with all eyes on the district as stakeholders await further developments regarding the handling of this matter.

The council meeting was attended by Ntungamo District Chairman LC5 Samuel Muchunguzi Rwakigooba, District Vice Chairman Asumani Kigongo, Afande Ahabwe (OC Station Ntungamo), RDC Rose Atuhaire, ADISO Abel Atukwase, and OC CIID Ntungamo police, among others.

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