Jenaphar Nantume Egunyu, the Nwoya Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), is in police custody following an investigation by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) over alleged abuse of office and theft. Nantume was reportedly arrested on Monday in Nwoya District alongside two other individuals.
The arrests stem from findings by the IG indicating that between January 2023 and December 2024, Nantume allegedly abused her authority by disregarding established procedures for the establishment of animal markets.
According to the charges, Nantume is accused of authorizing the operation of an illegal animal market in Got Okwara Village, Lungulu Sub-county, in actions said to have been prejudicial to the interests of Nwoya District Local Government.
She was arrested together with Fred Kalisa, a farmer from Got Okwara Village in Lungulu Sub-county, and Ronald Wanda, a businessman from Kiyindi in Buikwe District.
The two are facing similar charges.Information obtained indicates that Kalisa and Wanda allegedly managed the illegal animal market and, during the same period between January 2023 and December 2024, stole approximately 20.6 million shillings belonging to Nwoya District Local Government.
Farouk Kayondo, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Inspectorate of Government, confirmed the arrest of the suspects to Uganda Radio Network in an interview on Monday evening.
“The Inspectorate of Government has arrested the Chief Administrative Officer of Nwoya District Local Government, Nantume Jenaphar Egunyu, and two others, including Fred Kalisa, a farmer in Got Okwara Village, Lungulu Sub-county in Nwoya District, and Ronald Wanda, a businessman in Kiyindi in Buikwe District, over two counts of abuse of office and theft,” Kayondo said.
Kayondo explained that Nantume is accused of abusing her office during her tenure, alleging that she flouted the procedures of the animal market establishment, adding that she went ahead to allow the operation of an illegal market in Got Okwara Village, Lungulu Sub-county.
According to Kayondo, Nantume, and her co-accused are currently detained at Central Police Station in Kampala and are expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
“The trio has been arrested today and are at Central Police Station, Kampala. They are going to take a plea at the Anti-Corruption Court tomorrow, April 28, 2026,” said Kayongo. URN