By Don Ddungu Fred
Two primary school teachers in Kyotera District have been arrested over allegations that they fraudulently earned government salaries for nearly 15 years by using academic credentials that did not belong to them.
The suspects have been identified as Charles Sseruwu and John Kavuma, who had been attached to Kakunyu Primary School in Kabira Sub-county. Investigators allege that Kavuma secured employment and received a government salary using the academic documents of Vincent Kibazzi, the rightful owner of the qualifications.
Kyotera District Education Officer Lawrence Ssekyondwa said investigations were launched after the district received complaints from members of the public questioning the legitimacy of some teachers on the government payroll.
According to Ssekyondwa, preliminary investigations established that Kavuma lacked the qualifications required to serve as a government-employed teacher.
He said the allegations were brought to the attention of district authorities by Kavuma’s own relatives, who claimed that Vincent Kibazzi, a trained teacher, developed a severe mental illness that forced him to abandon the profession. They alleged that Kavuma later took advantage of his brother’s condition by presenting Kibazzi’s academic credentials to secure employment and continue receiving a government salary for about 15 years.
Kyotera District Finance Officer Robert Kyambadde, who oversees the district payroll, condemned the alleged fraud, saying it had damaged the image of the district’s public service.
He commended the family members who reported the matter, describing their actions as instrumental in exposing the alleged scheme.
Kyambadde said the suspects were summoned for questioning, during which investigators allegedly established that they had been impersonating qualified teachers. He also questioned how school administrators failed to detect the alleged irregularities and allowed unqualified individuals to remain on the government payroll for such a long period.
Kyotera Deputy Resident District Commissioner Matia Mulindwa Kagugube ordered the immediate arrest of the two suspects. They are expected to face charges including impersonation and causing financial loss to the government.
Kagugube warned that authorities would continue pursuing individuals accused of fraudulently obtaining public funds, saying the government was determined to safeguard taxpayers’ money.
He also urged anyone engaged in similar fraudulent practices to voluntarily desist before facing legal action.
Police have since launched further investigations to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud and determine whether additional individuals may have been involved.
