Police have transferred five suspects in the ongoing Kisoro District corruption investigation to Kampala for further interrogation.
The suspects were transferred from Kisoro Central Police Station at about 2:40 this afternoon following a joint operation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and Uganda Police.
Those transferred are Kisoro District Council Speaker Amos Hakizimana, LCV Councillor for Nyarusiza Sub-county John Mfitumukiza, District Service Commission Chairperson Erastus Nshaka, businessman Alfonse Muhanika, and Joseline Niringiyimana, a teacher at Rwabara Primary School.
The suspects are being investigated over allegations of corruption, abuse of office and solicitation of money from people seeking government jobs.
According to a statement attributed to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, investigations indicate that between October and December last year, Speaker Amos Hakizimana allegedly solicited and received 11.5 million shillings from several job applicants after promising to influence their recruitment.
The Anti-Corruption Unit says Hakizimana later refunded eight million shillings, which investigators recovered and exhibited as part of the case.
The investigation also centres on District Service Commission Chairperson Erastus Nshaka.
Investigators allege that in 2023, Nshaka received eight million shillings from businessman Charles Mbarusha after allegedly demanding 15 million shillings to secure a clinical officer position for Mbarusha’s sister, Jolly Mutuzo.
Although Mutuzo reportedly attended and passed the interview, she was not appointed, and the money was allegedly not refunded.
The Anti-Corruption Unit further alleges that following a complaint and Nshaka’s arrest, the District Service Commission Secretary, Francisca Mugisha, approached Mbarusha and offered to return 10 million shillings — eight million shillings allegedly paid to Nshaka, plus an additional two million — on condition that he withdraw the complaint.
Another allegation involves Nshaka and businessman Alfonse Muhanika.
Investigators allege that Nshaka demanded 100 bags of cement from enrolled nurse Ivan Nirere as an inducement to secure him a government job, allegedly acting through Muhanika.
The investigation says Nirere delivered an initial 50 bags of cement on March 10th, 2024, to Nshaka’s construction site in Nyakabande.
The Anti-Corruption Unit also alleges that Nshaka and District Service Commission member Richard Turamuhawe, also known as Abel Tumuhawe, solicited and received 10 million shillings from Brian Turikumwe in February this year.
The money was allegedly given as an inducement to secure Turikumwe an appointment as an assistant town clerk.
However, investigators say he was not appointed and the money was allegedly not refunded.
Meanwhile, LCV Councillor John Mfitumukiza is accused of allegedly receiving eight million shillings from Nelson Bazamanza.
According to the investigation, Mfitumukiza allegedly promised to secure a government midwifery position in Kisoro for Bazamanza’s sister, Pamela Nyirabatega.
The appointment was not secured after the money was allegedly received.
The fifth suspect, teacher Joseline Niringiyimana, is also being investigated over an alleged two-million-shilling payment.
Investigators allege that Niringiyimana gave two million shillings to Speaker Hakizimana, who had reportedly promised to connect her to Nshaka.
The Anti-Corruption Unit says Niringiyimana later maintained that the money was simply a token of appreciation.
However, investigators reportedly traced communications between the Speaker and the District Service Commission Chairperson in which Hakizimana allegedly forwarded Niringiyimana’s name for consideration.
The latest arrests come amid wider scrutiny of recruitment within the Kisoro District Service Commission.
According state house anti-corruption unit,Two other suspects including Francesca Mugisha, the Secretary DSC and one Matata Alex, a teacher and middleman are on the run.
Preliminary findings indicate that between October and December 2025, the suspects, together with others still at large, allegedly solicited and received approximately UGX 200 million from various job applicants.
Investigations are in advanced stages and upon completion, the suspects are expected to be charged before the Anti-Corruption Court with Corruption related charges.
Earlier this year, Kisoro District Council suspended the commission and petitioned the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate allegations of bribery, nepotism and irregular recruitment. Council records cited by media indicated that more people had allegedly been recruited than the number of positions advertised.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit and police had already arrested Nshaka and Muhanika earlier this month over separate allegations of extortion and abuse of office. Police said at the time that the two were accused of soliciting five million shillings from a job seeker in exchange for employment.
The arrest of Speaker Hakizimana and Councillor Mfitumukiza followed shortly afterwards, with police saying the two were also being investigated over alleged solicitation of bribes from job seekers.
Lawyer Rodgers Nabaasa, who represents the accused, has confirmed that the five suspects have been transferred to Kampala.
Nabaasa says the suspects are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court on Monday.
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