Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 795
- 508
The Ministry of Local Government has escalated its anti-corruption drive by declaring Okiror Simon, an Assistant Engineering Officer at Bulambuli Town Council, wanted over the alleged misappropriation of UGX 500 million earmarked for the construction of a bridge linking Bulambuli Town Council to Bukhakalu Sub-county, covering the Buku and Mui sub-counties.
A wanted notice shared by the Minister Balaam Barugahala states that Okiror is being sought to assist with investigations into the suspected diversion of public funds. According to the notice, inspectors found the bridge to be poorly constructed and impassable, despite the substantial public investment.
The latest development stems from the government's nationwide "Expose the Corrupt in Local Government" campaign, an initiative supported by the president Yoweri museveni in His term " No sleep" , the operation is aimed at identifying stalled, substandard and ghost public projects while holding accountable public officials suspected of corruption and abuse of office. The campaign has seen ministers conduct surprise inspections of government-funded infrastructure across the country.
The Bulambuli bridge project has been at the centre of public scrutiny since inspection teams discovered that the Shs500 million (approximately Shs504 million) project remained incomplete and below acceptable engineering standards, leaving residents, schoolchildren and patients struggling to cross the river, especially during heavy rains. Local leaders demanded action against officials responsible for the project after the inspections.
Earlier this month, several Bulambuli Town Council officials, including the Town Clerk and engineering officials, were detained as investigations widened into the handling of funds allocated to the bridge project. Authorities believe more individuals connected to the project may be held accountable as inquiries continue.
The declaration of Okiror Simon as wanted marks the latest phase of the investigation, with authorities urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to report to the nearest security agency as the government intensifies efforts to recover public funds and combat corruption in local governments.
