MICHAEL N
Ntungamo District councilors have blocked the reinstatement of Principal Human Resource Officer, Jennifer Muheirwe, who was interdicted three months ago over allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of office.
The standoff emerged during a tense council sitting last Tuesday when Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Fidelis Kizza announced that the Permanent Secretary for Local Government, Benjamin Kumumanya, had directed the lifting of Muheirwe’s interdiction. Kizza explained that the law limits administrative interdiction to three months and that the Rewards and Sanctions Committee had been tasked to meet with her before redeployment.
However, councillors strongly opposed the move, insisting that reinstating her before the conclusion of ongoing police investigations would undermine the process. Muheirwe faces accusations of embezzling staff funds, falsifying payroll records, soliciting bribes, mismanaging retirement benefits, and irregularly promoting or demoting employees.
LC5 councillor for Ntungamo Sub County, Naboth Mpirirwe, claimed that “district mafias” were behind efforts to bring her back, describing it as a scheme to shield corruption. Itojo Sub County councillor Denis Muhumuza Savimbi also faulted the Permanent Secretary for declaring investigations complete without issuing a formal report, stressing that it was the district council—not the ministry—that initiated her suspension.
The council later summoned Detective Assistant Inspector of Police James Mugisha, who confirmed that investigations into Muheirwe’s conduct are still ongoing. Following his testimony, CAO Kizza agreed to halt her reinstatement, maintaining the suspension until police release their findings.
Several councillors, including Tushabe Saidat (Rugarama Sub County) and Emily Atuhaire (Nyabihoko Sub County), vowed to resist any attempt to reinstate Muheirwe, warning they would escalate the matter to the President if necessary.
Muheirwe was interdicted earlier this year after allegations surfaced that she diverted staff salaries and manipulated payrolls for personal gain. The district council has since resolved to keep her out of office until investigations are fully concluded and an official report is issued.
