The chief administrative officer (CAO) of Jinja District, Lilian Nakamatte, has been ordered to step aside following serious allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and failure to implement key council decisions. The directive was issued by Balaam Barugahara during a tense special sitting of the Jinja District Council held at the district headquarters.
The meeting was convened after district speaker Simon Kibombo presented a memorandum accusing Nakamatte of undermining accountability and frustrating the work of elected leaders. Councillors claimed that several resolutions passed by the council had been ignored, creating obstacles to service delivery and causing concern over the management of public resources.
One of the major issues raised involved the continued budgeting of Shs15 million for repairs to an aging district coaster. According to council leaders, the district had previously resolved to dispose of the vehicle, yet funds for its repair have allegedly continued to appear in successive budgets without council approval.
Council members also questioned the level of transparency surrounding government projects within the district. They argued that technical officials had repeatedly failed to provide bills of quantities for various projects, limiting the ability of councillors to scrutinize expenditures and effectively monitor implementation on behalf of the communities they represent.
Further allegations centered on what councillors described as a failure by the district administration to decisively address corruption-related complaints in different departments. Some leaders claimed that the situation had weakened public trust, slowed development initiatives, and affected the delivery of essential services across the district.
Concerns were also raised about Nakamatte’s lengthy stay in office. Several councillors argued that remaining in one district for an extended period can create unhealthy familiarity and reduce efficiency. They maintained that periodic transfers of senior civil servants are important for promoting accountability and maintaining high professional standards in local governments.
In her defense, Nakamatte rejected the accusations and described them as an attempt to damage her reputation. She maintained that many disagreements stem from a lack of understanding among some councillors regarding the different responsibilities assigned to political leaders and technical officers. She further called for orientation programs to strengthen cooperation between the two sides.
Despite the CAO’s response, Minister Balaam directed her to immediately hand over responsibilities to her deputy as investigations commence. He tasked the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Inspectorate of Government with conducting a comprehensive inquiry and submitting findings within two weeks. The outcome of the investigations is expected to determine Nakamatte’s future, while authorities focus on allegations relating to financial management, procurement practices, implementation of council resolutions, and the handling of corruption complaints within Jinja District.
