The Ministry of Local Government has ordered the immediate interdiction of 13 officials in Hoima City and Hoima District over allegations of gross negligence of duty, abuse of office, mismanagement of public resources and possible financial impropriety.
The interdictions, communicated in letters dated October 16, 2026, follow meetings convened by the Minister of Local Government in Hoima City on October 10 and in Hoima District on October 9, during which concerns were raised about the conduct of the affected officials.
Ben Kumumanya, the ministry’s permanent secretary, directed the Hoima City town clerk and the Hoima District chief administrative officer to implement the interdictions to allow investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other relevant government agencies.
The letters state that the alleged misconduct had greatly compromised service delivery in the city and district. They do not, however, detail the individual allegations against each official.
The interdictions were ordered under Section F-s-14 of the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021, according to the letters.
Here is the list of officials affected by the decision.
HOIMA CITY
Six officials in Hoima City have been ordered to step aside pending investigations. They are Godfrey Muhumuza, the city physical planner; Robert Byaruhanga, the city natural resource officer; Boneventure Kiiza, the city engineer; Johnson Baingana, the city education officer; Mitton Asiimwe, secretary of the City Service Commission; and Carolyn Nyamahunge, inspector of schools.
In his October 16 letter to the city town clerk, Kumumanya said the decision followed issues raised during the minister’s October 10 meeting in the city.
The allegations cited in the letter include gross negligence of duty, abuse of office, mismanagement of public resources and possible financial impropriety.
The permanent secretary directed the town clerk to interdict all six officials with immediate effect, saying the measure was intended to pave the way for investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other government agencies.
The letter was copied to the ministers of Local Government and State for Local Government, the Inspector General of Government, the head of public service and secretary to Cabinet, the head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the resident city commissioner and the Hoima City mayor.
HOIMA DISTRICT
Seven officials in Hoima District Local Government have also been ordered to step aside over allegations similar to those cited against their counterparts in the city.
They are Harriet Kihumuro, the district education officer; Robert Kyomuhendo, the district inspector of schools; Joel Munyagire, senior human resource officer; Simon Kiiza, acting secretary of the District Service Commission; Anthony Ayesiga, district labour officer; Monica Katusabe, parish chief; and Rasito Kasigwa, parish chief.
In a separate letter dated October 16 and addressed to the district chief administrative officer, Kumumanya said the interdictions followed concerns raised during a meeting convened by the minister in Hoima District on October 9.
The letter cites gross negligence of duty, abuse of office, mismanagement of public resources and possible financial impropriety, adding that the issues had greatly compromised service delivery in the district.
As in the city, the seven officials were ordered to be interdicted with immediate effect to facilitate investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other relevant government agencies.
The district letter was copied to the ministers of Local Government and State for Local Government, the Inspector General of Government, the head of public service and secretary to Cabinet, the head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the resident district commissioner and the district chairperson.
ABOUT INTERDICTIONS
Interdiction is an administrative measure used in Uganda’s public service to remove an officer from the ordinary exercise of their duties while a matter requiring investigation or disciplinary consideration is handled. It is distinct from dismissal or a final finding of misconduct.
The Public Service Standing Orders provide the framework governing the treatment of public officers facing disciplinary proceedings, including the circumstances and procedures for interdiction.
In cases involving alleged misuse of public resources, abuse of office or other suspected wrongdoing, investigations may involve bodies mandated to investigate corruption and administrative misconduct. These include the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Inspectorate of Government, depending on the nature of the allegations and the respective mandates of the agencies.
The Hoima decisions place 13 officials across two local government administrations under investigation-related administrative measures. The outcome will depend on the evidence gathered and the subsequent decisions of the competent authorities.
You can see names of officials interdicted in Buliisa, Ntungamo and Masindi Here.
