MPIGI, UGANDA –July 31, 2025:The State House Anti-Corruption Unit working alongside the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has secured the remand of two Mpigi District engineers charged with the theft of fuel valued at UGX 242,022,500 million, intended for vital road maintenance works.
Kyambadde Sam, the Acting District Engineer for Works, was arraigned today at the Mpigi Chief Magistrate's Court on charges of Theft. Chief Magistrate remanded him until August 5th, 2025. Kyambadde joins his co-accused, Sitakange Charles, who was previously charged in connection with the same scandal.
The charges stem from alleged criminal activities during the 2023-2024 Financial Year in Mpigi Town Council. Prosecutors allege the engineers systematically stole 21,739 litres of fuel allocated for road works under the crucial SHS 1 Billion Road Maintenance Grant.
Elaborate Scheme Uncovered:
Investigations revealed a sophisticated scheme to defraud the district:
1. Inflation of Needs:The engineers allegedly inflated the fuel quantities required for various district road projects.
2. Collusion with Stations:They then colluded with managers of different fuel stations to bypass control measures, enabling them to draw the excess fuel.
3. Fictitious Accountability:To cover their tracks, the stolen fuel was fraudulently accounted for using registration numbers of vehicles that were either grounded and non-operational or belonged to other departments/unrelated entities not involved in road works. A prominent example cited is the use of Tipper Reg No. LG 0002-082, grounded since 2022, to account for fuel draws worth approximately UGX 18.5 million. This specific method allegedly led to losses of up to UGX 90 million.
4. Ghost Road Project:Shockingly, investigations also found that one planned road project – the Kyansoozi – Kampiringisa – Muyiira Road, estimated at UGX 97 million – was never implemented at all. Despite district officials reporting its completion, the funds allocated for it were entirely stolen.
This case in Mpigi follows a similar pattern uncovered just last month in Busia District, where municipal officials were charged for abusing fuel under their own UGX 1 Billion Grant allocation. The SH-ACU has confirmed that these investigations are part of a renewed nationwide focus on the management of the SHS 1 Billion Road Maintenance Grants disbursed to local governments, triggered by numerous complaints of mismanagement and fraud.
Both Kyambadde Sam and Sitakange Charles will return to the Mpigi Chief Magistrate's Court on August 5th, 2025.
