Date: July 8, 2025
On March 30, 2025, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) dispatched a team to Busia District to investigate persistent concerns regarding service delivery and corruption. Over a span of more than one month, the operation—conducted in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)—uncovered serious cases of mismanagement of public resources, fraud, and abuse of office.
The operation was guided by extensive community engagement, including barazas, where residents openly raised grievances. These testimonies formed the basis for wide-ranging investigations, which led to multiple arrests and prosecutions of top district leaders and officials.
Key findings over the coarse of investigation was that, on May 16, 2025, SH-ACU arraigned several officials of Busia Municipal Council before the Busia Chief Magistrates Court on charges of theft and conspiracy to defraud the government.
Those charged included:
- Baganzi Ronald Ross – Former Town Clerk Busia MC, current Town Clerk Kumi
- Kiganda James Farouk – Municipal Engineer
- Chimulwa Wycliffe – Principal Accountant
- Sekamanya Martin – Assistant Engineering Officer
- Kundu Javenarly – Foreman Works
- Kyaligonza Christopher – Manager, Shell Busia
- Mukisa Were – Assistant Manager, Shell Busia
Investigations revealed that the officials, working with Shell Busia, siphoned part of the UGX 1 billion road maintenance grant, disguising payments as fuel supplies. At least UGX 200 million was confirmed misappropriated.
In addition, Asset David, Chairperson of North “C” PDM SACCO, was arraigned for demanding bribes from Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries in order to access their funds.
The LCV Chairperson of Busia District, Mr. Stephen Mugeni Wasike, was implicated in several incidents of corruption and misconduct:
- May 2, 2025: Mugeni was arraigned before court on charges of stealing parts of a government vehicle—a Toyota Hilux double cabin (UAK 827Z)—valued at UGX 30 million.
- May 21, 2025: He was re-arrested and arraigned on additional charges of wrongful confinement and threatening violence after he allegedly confined and threatened the Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Lubuuka David, at the district headquarters.
Throughout the operation, SH-ACU conducted several barazas in Busia Municipality and surrounding areas, creating platforms for residents to speak out on corruption. Citizens raised issues ranging from the misuse of road maintenance funds, extortion of PDM beneficiaries, mismanagement of Busia Market funds, and smuggling of goods across the Uganda-Kenya border.
These engagements proved vital in uncovering fraud networks and ensuring accountability among district leaders.
To mark the conclusion of the Busia investigations, SH-ACU senior officials, Counsel Sebikaari Samuel and Mr. Eroku Stanley, appeared on Voice of Busia FM on July 7, 2025.
- Mr. Eroku Stanley emphasized the importance of public trust and urged residents to continue reporting corruption to the relevant agencies. He reminded citizens that their vigilance is crucial in exposing misconduct and safeguarding public resources.
- Counsel Sebikaari Samuel recapped the issues raised by residents during the barazas—including misuse of the UGX 1 billion road grant, extortion in the PDM program, and mismanagement of market funds. He also highlighted the support of the Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) office, which was instrumental in the Unit’s work.
Both officials thanked the media, especially Voice of Busia FM, for amplifying community concerns and helping to raise awareness about anti-corruption initiatives.
In conclusion, the Busia operation has demonstrated the effectiveness of community-driven accountability in tackling corruption. By listening to citizens and acting on their concerns, SH-ACU and partner agencies were able to expose systemic fraud and take decisive legal action against those responsible.
