By Omony Denis & Agency
Jenaphar Nantume Egunyu, the Nwoya Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), is in police custody following an investigation by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) over alleged abuse of office and theft.
Nantume was reportedly arrested on Monday in Nwoya District alongside two other individuals.
The arrests stem from findings by the IG indicating that between January 2023 and December 2024, Nantume allegedly abused her authority by disregarding established procedures for the establishment of animal markets.
According to the charges, Nantume is accused of authorizing the operation of an illegal animal market in Got Okwara Village, Lungulu Sub-county, in actions said to have been prejudicial to the interests of Nwoya District Local Government.
She was arrested together with Fred Kalisa, a farmer from Got Okwara Village in Lungulu Sub-county, and Ronald Wanda, a businessman from Kiyindi in Buikwe District. The two are facing similar charges.
Information obtained indicates that Kalisa and Wanda allegedly managed the illegal animal market and, during the same period between January 2023 and December 2024, stole approximately 20.6 million shillings belonging to Nwoya District Local Government.
Farouk Kayondo, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Inspectorate of Government, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.
According to Kayondo, Nantume, and her co-accused are currently detained at Central Police Station in Kampala and are expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
Nantume is not new to controversies.
In July 2024, Egunyu also came under public scrutiny after the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited ordered the demolition of a staff quarters block at Coo-Rom Health Centre II in Koch Goma Sub-county, Nwoya District.
The building, constructed at a cost of 149.6 million shillings, had reportedly been built on land already compensated for a power transmission line.
She has also faced complaints from district councilors who accused her of influencing the appointment of her daughter as the hospital administrator of Anaka Hospital despite allegedly lacking the required qualifications, a position she reportedly still holds.
