Bundibugyo District is facing serious allegations of conflict of interest and abuse of office following claims that several senior district officials and politically connected individuals have allegedly used their positions to influence procurement processes and secure government contracts for companies linked to them and their relatives.

The allegations center on senior technical officers and district leaders, including the District Education Officer (DEO), District Procurement Officer (DPO), District Engineer, and the LCV Chairperson. Critics argue that the awarding of contracts to companies associated with these officials undermines transparency, fairness, and accountability in public procurement.

According to information obtained by this publication, Bukanjimukira and Sons Investment Limited, a company reportedly linked to Byamukama John, the District Education Officer, was awarded several education infrastructure projects in the district.

These include the renovation of a three-classroom block at Mwiribondo Primary School in Kikyo/Ngamba area at a cost of UGX 141.5 million, the construction of a three-classroom block at Mataisa Primary School in Bubukwanga Sub-county valued at UGX 213.8 million, and the completion of a four-classroom block at Bundikahungu Primary School worth UGX 207.6 million.

Sources further allege that the director of the company awarded the Bundikahungu project is a biological brother of the Bundibugyo LCV Chairperson, raising additional concerns about favoritism and influence in contract awards.

Meanwhile, Ngonswaa (U) Limited, a company allegedly owned by Birungi Betth, the District Procurement Officer, reportedly secured contracts for health infrastructure projects.

These include the completion of placenta pit structures at Mirambi and Busunga Health Centre IIIs worth UGX 18.9 million, as well as the construction of medical waste pits at the same facilities valued at UGX 18.8 million.

Questions have also been raised regarding Kake Corporates Limited, a company reportedly associated with road construction material supplies in the district and allegedly linked to interests of the District Engineer, Muhindo B. Robert.

The company was awarded a contract to construct a four-stance VIP latrine and placenta pit at Kyondo Health Centre III worth UGX 80.5 million.

In another case, Kumalirwa and Sons Investment Limited, a company reportedly owned by Kandole John, a brother of Bundibugyo LCV Chairperson Tbakunirwa Robert, was awarded contracts worth hundreds of millions of shillings.

The projects include the construction of walkways at several health facilities across the district, including Bupomboli, Burondo, Kyondo, Buhanda, Mirambi, Busunga, Tombwe, and Bundimulangiya Health Centre IIIs at a cost of UGX 378.7 million.

The same company also secured a contract for the restoration of the Bundinyama–Hakitara Gravity Flow Scheme worth UGX 42.3 million.
Governance and accountability advocates argue that if the allegations are proven true, the conduct would constitute a serious breach of public procurement laws, conflict-of-interest regulations, and public service ethical standards.

They emphasize that public officials are expected to declare interests and recuse themselves from procurement processes where they or their relatives stand to benefit.

Stakeholders are now calling upon oversight institutions, including the relevant procurement authorities, anti-corruption agencies, and investigative bodies, to thoroughly investigate the allegations and establish whether procurement procedures were followed in accordance with the law.

At the time of publication, the officials and companies named in the allegations had not publicly responded to the claims. The allegations remain unproven, and all individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless investigations establish otherwise.