In 2015, South Buganda Anti-corruption Coalition, which operates in Greater Masaka region, submitted five petitions from Masaka district of alleged corruption to the regional office of the Inspectorate of Government.
The petitions include a report pinning Joseph Kimbowa, the former Masaka Town Clerk for allegedly selling off a plot of land in the newly constructed Nyendo market to Issa Lubega, a businessman based in Nyendo without council approval. He reportedly forged council minutes to back the transaction and pocketed Shillings 28 million from the businessman.
The minutes were disowned by the council led by the Former Speaker Masaka Municipality, Steven Lukyamuzi. The council asked the IGG to investigate Kimbowa for forgery and abuse of office. Kimbowa declined to comment on the matter.
Other cases include the disputed allocation of part of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) land, which hosts the Masaka water treatment center to local businessman Gerald Kasozi by Masaka District Land Board.
The other petition is about the allocation of the Mayor's chambers to Brig. Silver Kayemba at the cost of Shillings 800 million without council approval.Charles Kasibante Kibabilire, the Deputy Executive Director of South Buganda anti-Corruption Coalition, says they expected the Inspectorate of Government to expedite investigations in the cases and take action, but nothing has been done.
Kasibante says they are considering dragging the implicated officers to court, since the Inspectorate of Government has failed to consider their reports and take action. Denis Lukanga Majwala, the LC III Chairperson Katwe-Butego Division, says they haven't felt the impact of the office of the IGG in Masaka district.
According to Majwala, there are several corruption allegations in Masaka municipality, but the Inspectorate hasn't picked them up. He cites the illegal allocation of the street parking business without a formal contract.
However, officials from the Inspectorate of Government in Masaka, say they are doing their best. One of the officials told URN on condition of anonymity, since he isn't authorized to speak to the media, that some of the files were allocated to an official who is on maternity leave.
The officer declined to divulge further details and instead referred URN to the spokesperson of the Inspectorate of Government, Munira Ali. Our calls to Munira went without response by the time of filing this story.
-URNI