MUGABE R
The Head of the RDC Secretariat and Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President, Major Martha Asiimwe, has pledged to push for investigations into stalled government-funded irrigation projects in Rukungiri District.
Major Asiimwe made the commitment on Thursday, February 12, 2026, during an engagement meeting with Rukungiri District administrators held at the District Council Hall. The meeting aimed at evaluating the monitoring of government programmes, assessing service delivery, and strengthening collaboration between the Office of the President, local leaders, and project beneficiaries.
The engagement was chaired by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Rukungiri, Buroni Kikanshemeza, and focused on assessing the district’s performance in service delivery. Following the meeting, Major Asiimwe conducted a field inspection of several government projects, including the Nyabugando Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme in Kyabahanga Parish and the Kahimbi Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme in Kikarara Parish, both located in Bwambara Sub-county. She also visited the Bikurungu Seed Secondary School in Bikurungu Town Council, which is expected to open later this term.
Government introduced several small-scale irrigation schemes in Rukungiri District starting in the 2018/2019 financial year to support year-round farming and enhance food security. Some of the projects include Rwakabengo, Garuka, Kyabahanga, and Kahimbi irrigation schemes. However, reports indicate that several of these projects, which cost billions of shillings, are not functioning as intended.
Major Asiimwe commended district leaders for their efforts in delivering services but emphasized the need for accountability regarding the stalled irrigation projects. She pledged to advocate for investigations into the projects and ensure that construction firms responsible are held accountable and that the projects become operational.
Rukungiri RDC Buroni Kikanshemeza also raised concerns over the loss of public funds invested in the projects and vowed to initiate thorough investigations to ensure those responsible are brought to book.
Meanwhile, Bwambara Sub-county District Councilor Gideon Ntunguura noted that the stalled projects have led to public dissatisfaction, with residents expressing frustration over the failure of irrigation systems meant to improve agricultural productivity.
