BULAMBULI — The Minister of State for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the construction of a bridge in Bulambuli Town Council, questioning whether public funds were properly utilised.
The minister inspected the bridge project as part of the government’s nationwide “Expose the Corrupt in Local Government” campaign, which he is spearheading together with Minister of State for Gender, Culture and Community Development Justine Nameere.
During the inspection, Barugahara alleged that the completed structure did not match specifications contained in the approved Bill of Quantities (BoQ), claiming the bridge constructed was only about half the size indicated in the project documents.
The minister said such discrepancies could amount to misuse of public resources and vowed that those responsible would be investigated.
“They are stealing public funds, so let us expose them to the public,” Barugahara said.
The inspection is part of a wider campaign by the ministers targeting suspected corruption, poor service delivery and financial mismanagement in local governments across the country.
Barugahara said government officials and contractors must be held accountable for ensuring that public projects are implemented according to approved designs, budgets and quality standards.
He warned that individuals accused of hiding behind legal procedures to avoid accountability would still face scrutiny if evidence of wrongdoing is established.
“The law does not permit the theft of public funds. Otherwise, we shall pursue them,” Minister Nameere said during the campaign.
The ministers have said the initiative is aimed at strengthening accountability at local government level by exposing projects that fail to deliver value for money.
Barugahara added that he had received a clear directive from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to address challenges affecting local government performance and pledged to continue the inspections despite possible resistance.
“I have a clear directive from the President to sort out local government, and from my chairman, the CDF. My security has been enhanced, and therefore, I will not fear anyone,” he said.
Authorities are expected to review the project documents, including the contract, payment records and technical specifications, before determining whether further action will be taken.
The inspection comes amid renewed government efforts to combat corruption, improve accountability and ensure that public funds translate into effective service delivery at community level.
