BUHWEJU DISTRICT
A high-level government accountability meeting held in Buhweju District on Friday, August 7, 2026, has brought renewed focus to corruption, poor implementation of government programmes, inadequate public services and the long-standing concerns over the district’s failure to benefit from its mineral wealth.
The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, brought together district political and technical leaders, Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners, councillors, security officials and members of the public to assess the implementation of government programmes and identify gaps affecting service delivery.
The engagement was attended by District Chairperson Deogracious Atuhaire, popularly known as Omuhatiizi, Buhweju legislators Hon. Mutekanga Zadock, Hon. Eng. John Bosco Koy Kariisa and Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Nnamara Annet Oyes Byamukama, also known as Omuteganda, alongside Dean of RDCs Col. Fred Mwesigwa, RDC Muhindo Pulkerio Mwine, Deputy RDC Tumwebaze Goodman, former Mbarara District boss Didas Tabaro, the Speaker of Council, district councillors, technical officers, security agencies and residents.
Balaam warns against misuse of public resources
Addressing the gathering, Minister Balaam emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that public programmes deliver tangible benefits to ordinary citizens.
He warned public officials against corruption, abuse of office, misuse of public funds and other practices that undermine public confidence in government institutions. He said accountability and transparency must remain central to the implementation of government programmes.
Balaam also thanked the people and leaders of Buhweju for attending the engagement, saying their participation demonstrated a willingness to openly discuss challenges affecting service delivery and seek practical solutions.
The minister’s visit formed part of the wider government effort to assess the performance of government programmes at the local level and strengthen accountability in the utilization of public resources.
Atuhaire questions project implementation
Welcoming the minister and his delegation, District Chairperson Deogracious Atuhaire congratulated Balaam upon his appointment to the Ministry of Local Government and thanked the ministry for including Buhweju in the assessment exercise.
Atuhaire, however, raised concerns over what he described as inadequate consultation between central government agencies, district authorities and local communities during the planning and implementation of government projects.
He argued that some projects are planned centrally and later imposed on communities without sufficient consultation with local leaders who understand the specific needs of residents.
The chairperson cited an irrigation project in the district, claiming that despite the resources invested, the facility could not effectively irrigate even half an acre of farmland.
He called for greater involvement of local leaders and communities from the planning stage, saying this would help government achieve value for money and ensure projects address actual community needs.
PDM funds under scrutiny
The implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) also featured prominently during the meeting.
Atuhaire alleged that some individuals had misappropriated funds intended to support households under the programme. He said district authorities had already arrested several suspects over the alleged misuse of PDM funds.
He appealed for stronger support from the central government to enhance monitoring, investigations and accountability so that public funds meant to improve household incomes are protected.
He also raised concerns about alleged corruption within District Service Commissions, claiming that some brokers demand money from job seekers while promising to secure them government employment.
Atuhaire urged relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and ensure that recruitment into public service is based on merit, competence and transparency.
Buhweju demands share of gold wealth
One of the strongest concerns raised during the meeting was the district’s mineral wealth.
Atuhaire said Buhweju has hosted gold mining activities for many years but has not benefited sufficiently from the resources extracted from the area.
He appealed to the government to examine mechanisms through which communities and the district can benefit from mineral revenues, including royalties where applicable.
He argued that increased revenue from the district’s mineral resources could contribute significantly to the development of roads, schools, health facilities and other essential infrastructure.
MPs call for roads, schools and hospital
Buhweju West MP Hon. Eng. John Bosco Koy Kariisa raised concerns about the shortage of government secondary schools and technical education institutions.
He said Kyahenda, Burere and Rubengye sub-counties do not have government secondary schools, a situation he said limits access to affordable education and contributes to low levels of skills development.
Koy further noted that Buhweju District does not have a government technical school and appealed to the minister and government to address the gap to promote vocational skills, innovation and employment among young people.
He also requested government support for the establishment of a district hospital and called for the upgrading of Engaju Health Centre III to Health Centre IV level.
Meanwhile, Hon. Mutekanga Zadock asked government to consider upgrading the Bwizibwera–Nsiika–Nyakashaka–Nyakabirizi road to tarmac standard.
He said improved road infrastructure would ease transportation and marketing of agricultural produce while reducing the challenges faced by farmers and other road users.
Mutekanga also asked government to recognize Karungu Seed Secondary School as an official government seed school and provide the necessary funding to strengthen education services in Buhweju County.
Oyes urges unity and farmer empowerment
Woman MP Hon. Nnamara Annet Oyes Byamukama called upon residents who feel oppressed or face unresolved challenges to speak openly during such engagements.
She said the minister’s visit provided an opportunity for residents to present long-standing grievances and seek solutions from government.
Oyes also appealed to Buhweju leaders to work together regardless of political or institutional differences, saying unity among leaders is essential for achieving meaningful development for residents.
She further asked government to ensure farmers in Buhweju access agricultural tools and other support directed to communities under government programmes.
The legislator also encouraged residents to form and join organized groups, commonly referred to as ebibina, as a way of improving access to government programmes, financial opportunities and collective development initiatives.
On PDM implementation, Oyes asked Minister Balaam to advocate for better facilitation of officials responsible for administering and monitoring the programme at village level.
She argued that inadequate facilitation of officials handling PDM activities can create vulnerabilities within the system and called for appropriate support to enable them to perform their duties effectively and transparently.
Calls for stronger government-community partnership
The Buhweju meeting ended with renewed calls for stronger cooperation between central government, district leadership and communities in monitoring government programmes.
The concerns raised by local leaders highlighted the need for closer supervision of public projects, transparent recruitment, stronger PDM accountability, improved education and health infrastructure, better roads and increased attention to the district’s natural-resource potential.
For Buhweju residents, the engagement provided an important platform to place long-standing development concerns before the Ministry of Local Government, with expectations that the issues raised will translate into concrete government action.
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