Masaka, Uganda: The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has ordered the Masaka District Principal Human Resource Officer, Mr. Kityo Mugagga, to refund UGX 25.3 million irregularly paid to a ghost pensioner’s account and later withdrawn by family members.
The directive, issued by Deputy Inspector General of Government, Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, followed investigations by the IG’s Masaka Regional Office, which found Mugagga culpable of abuse of office, gross negligence, and failure to perform his duties.
According to findings revealed by Muhairwe, Mugagga failed to enforce the mandatory submission of annual life certificates after the death of Joseph Henry Kyeyune on November 3, 2015. Despite his death, Kyeyune, a retired Senior Technician who left service in 1984, remained on the district payroll for over five years.
The IG established that on December 16, 2019, Mugagga irregularly requested the Ministry of Public Service to alter the deceased’s date of birth in order to extend pension benefits.
By February 2022, a total of UGX 32.4 million had been paid into Kyeyune’s Centenary Bank account, from which family members withdrew UGX 25.3 million. A balance of UGX 7.1 million was still in the account when the IG inspected on March 18, 2022.
Mugagga is also set to appear before the Masaka District Service Commission for disciplinary action. The IG emphasized that the irregular payments violated Section 18(1) of the Pensions Act, Cap 89, which clearly states that pension benefits cease upon the death of a beneficiary.
“The IG warns public officers against all forms of unethical conduct while executing their duties, which can cause losses to the government. Officers found guilty of disregarding the law will face the consequences,” the statement read.
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