Three Busia District Officials Face Arrest Over Government Vehicle Vandalism
Three officials from Busia District, Uganda, are under investigation for their alleged role in the theft and vandalism of government vehicles.
The suspects—District Chairperson Stephen Mugeni Wasike, Officer in Charge of Mechanics Jackson Hareba, and District Engineer George Mwiddu—are accused of negligence and unauthorized removal of vital vehicle parts.
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The Busia District Works and Technical Services Committee has called for police and Inspector General of Government (IGG) investigations after discovering missing components such as engines, gearboxes, and motors from several government vehicles left at the district yard.
Among the affected vehicles are a Toyota Hilux (UG2327R) donated by USAID for HIV/AIDS and TB programs, a Ministry of Health vehicle (UG6437M) supporting immunization efforts under GAVI, and a Ford Ranger (UG0465Z) provided by the Office of the Prime Minister for NUSAF 2 projects.
The committee found that unauthorized mechanics, allegedly hired by Wasike, had dismantled the vehicles in violation of district procedures.
Committee Chairperson Onyango Wasumba criticized the district leadership, stating, “The chairman flouted procedures by bringing unauthorized mechanics into the yard.”
District Engineer Mwiddu admitted he was absent when the thefts occurred but claimed that Wasike had personally requested parts, including an engine, from one of the vehicles. He emphasized that the district has an official repair team and that the chairman had overstepped his authority.
Hareba, the Officer in Charge of Mechanics, confirmed that while Wasike returned an engine, other parts, including a gearbox, remained missing.
In response, Wasike denied wrongdoing and instead blamed Hareba, alleging that the decision to remove the engine was made by the mechanics officer.
The district council is set to convene at the end of March to deliberate on the issue and decide on further action.
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