The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has arrested the headteacher of Ntare School, his predecessor and a former school typist over the alleged loss of Shs110,877,900 in public funds, in a case that the IG says began with a false university admission letter.
The three are headteacher Saul Rwampororo, former headteacher Jimmy Turyagyenda and former office typist Peace Kebirungi. They were arrested at the IG’s Mbarara regional office and taken to Kampala to answer charges of abuse of office and causing financial loss to the government, New Vision reports.
Sarah Magola, who heads the IG’s Mbarara regional office, said Kebirungi also faces a separate charge of uttering a false university admission letter.
According to the IG, Kebirungi used the letter in October 2015 to apply for and secure study leave with pay, but never returned to work once the study period ended. The IG alleges that both headteachers concealed her absence during their tenures.
The three are expected to be arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court within 48 hours. The allegations have not yet been tested in court, and all three are presumed innocent.
How the money was allegedly lost
The IG says Kebirungi kept drawing a government salary from September 2015 to August 2024, even though she was not at work.
Over the same period, the IG alleges, Turyagyenda and Rwampororo approved allowances for her from school fees paid by parents and students, making it look as though she was still working at the school.
In 2023, Kebirungi applied for early retirement. The IG says her application was forwarded to Rwampororo despite her alleged absence. She retired in 2024 and went on to receive terminal benefits, including gratuity and monthly pension, which the IG says she was not entitled to.
According to the IG, the alleged loss of Shs110,877,900, counted up to February 6 this year when its investigation was cut off, came from three sources:
- Salary paid while she was absent
- Allowances approved by the two headteachers
- Terminal benefits paid on her retirement
Magola said the two headteachers, as accounting officers, should have reported Kebirungi’s absence to the relevant authorities or the Ministry of Education instead of hiding it.
The IG did not say which university the admission letter was supposedly from.
CampusBee has contacted Ntare School and the IG for comment and will update this story.
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