Editor
Ntungamo district leaders have raised concerns regarding purported water facilities that do not exist in the district, labeling them as “ghost” facilities.
These facilities, primarily boreholes and protected water springs, were reported to have been constructed by the water department but were not found during monitoring exercises.
The district chairperson, Mr. Samuel Mucunguzi Rwakigoba, stated that an audit conducted earlier this year revealed that 17 boreholes and approximately 20 protected springs, which were reported to have been either constructed or repaired in various areas of the district, could not be located during spot audits. He emphasized that the escalating corruption levels within the district are impeding service delivery and adversely affecting citizens, which is a significant concern.
During a session at the Ntungamo district council hall chaired by Speaker Mr. Nicholas Mugyenyi, Ntungamo sub-county councilor Mr. Naboth Mpireirwe presented a document highlighting financial mismanagement within the water department, alleging that over UShs 35M had been embezzled under unexplained circumstances.
The Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Mathias Ndifuna, disclosed that the Inspectorate of Government has initiated investigations into the disappearance of these water facilities.
This issue follows a previous discovery in early 2023, where over 40 non-existent health facilities, including 12 health center IIIs, were identified on the Ntungamo district wage bill by officials from the State House Health Monitoring Unit.
