The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has directed 22 officials from Jinja City to refund more than UGX 33 million after investigations uncovered alleged misappropriation of public funds intended for official council activities.
In a statement issued on April 13, 2026, the office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) said the officials collectively received UGX 33,075,000 for council-related duties that were later found not to have been undertaken, with no supporting evidence of activity implementation.
The directive, issued by the Inspectorate of Government, followed findings from its Jinja regional office, which concluded that the funds remained unaccounted for, contrary to Regulation 123(7)(c) of the Local Government Financial and Accounting Regulations, 2007. The regulation holds that public officers who fail to account for council funds without a reasonable justification commit an offence.
According to the Inspectorate, the affected officials have already acknowledged liability and agreed to refund the money during the course of investigations. They have been instructed to deposit the funds into the IG Assets Recovery Account at the Bank of Uganda.
“Any official who fails to comply with this directive will be prosecuted,” the statement warned.
Among those named are senior administrative and political leaders from the Southern Division of Jinja City, including officials from finance, audit, and council leadership structures. The list includes individuals such as Christopher Baliraine (Senior Assistant Town Clerk), Esther Kwenala (Stenographer Secretary), Phoebe Monica Kwagala (Probation Officer), Prossie Nanangwe (Senior Assistant Accountant), and Nasser Asiraf (Mayor, South Division), among others.
Refund amounts vary per individual, ranging from about UGX 645,000 to UGX 4.45 million, depending on allocations received for the alleged activities.
The Inspectorate has copied the directive to the Jinja City Town Clerk to ensure immediate compliance, reinforcing its ongoing efforts to enhance accountability and curb mismanagement of public resources in local government institutions.
