Jonathan Wangisi, the Mbale District Health Officer (DHO), is in police custody on the orders of Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, the Minister for local government.
Wangisi was arrested yesterday Thursday at Mbale district head offices and is currently being detained at Mbale Central Police Station.
During the minister’s inspection of Mbale District government projects yesterday, he discovered that Naiku Health Center III in Bumbobi Sub-county had 5 ghost workers on its payroll. This angered Minister Balaam, who immediately ordered Wangisi’s arrest.
While speaking to the media on Thursday, Balaam said it looks bad for the government to send money to pay ghost workers, only for a few individuals to pocket it.
He said he has ordered investigations, and if Wangisi is found guilty, he will face the full wrath of the law, that he can be an example to others.
Tony Wamakale, the Mbale District LCV Chairperson, expressed satisfaction with the work being done by the minister. He said the exercise will help curb corruption in local governments.
He urged the public to remain calm and allow authorities to carry out the investigations.
By press time, Wangisi was still in custody.
