Residents in parts of Mbale District are demanding answers after a UGX 2.2 billion gravity flow water project failed to deliver the clean water it promised despite the massive public investment.
The controversy escalated after the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, announced the arrest of Mbale District Water Engineer Eng. Wandera Simon Peter, who is now being held at Mbale Central Police Station over allegations linked to the implementation of the project.
The gravity flow scheme was designed to transport clean water from Mount Elgon to surrounding communities through an extensive network of pipelines and public taps. However, during an inspection by government officials, the taps reportedly remained dry, raising serious concerns about how the project was executed.
The minister's directive followed a joint field inspection involving government officials, where the team assessed several public infrastructure projects in the district. The inspection reportedly uncovered what officials described as poor workmanship and possible mismanagement of public resources.
The water project was not the only one to come under scrutiny.
During the same inspection tour, another district engineer was arrested after officials examined a road project where approximately UGX 300 million had allegedly been spent despite the road remaining in poor condition. Ministers reportedly walked along the muddy stretch themselves to assess its state before ordering immediate action against those responsible.
The arrests form part of a wider government crackdown on alleged corruption, negligence and misuse of public funds within local governments. In recent weeks, the Ministry of Local Government has stepped up inspections across several districts, with multiple officials either arrested or interdicted as investigations continue into alleged financial impropriety and poor service delivery.
Investigations into the Mbale projects are expected to continue as authorities seek to establish individual responsibility and determine whether additional officials or contractors could face criminal or administrative action.
For residents who had hoped the gravity flow scheme would finally provide reliable access to clean water, the priority now is seeing the stalled project fixed and public funds fully accounted for.