Exposed: Decades of Foreign Aid Corruption Under Museveni’s Regime

This report provides a detailed examination of significant corruption scandals in Uganda, particularly those involving the misappropriation of foreign aid from agencies such as USAID, UKAID, the IMF, the World Bank, GAVI, and others. The focus is on incidents during the tenure of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) under President Yoweri Museveni. Additionally, the report outlines the allocation of USAID funds to Uganda, including specific amounts and dates, and discusses the implications of the recent executive order by President Trump halting USAID assistance to Uganda for 90 days.

Over the past decades, Uganda has experienced several high-profile corruption scandals involving the mismanagement of foreign aid. Below is a list of 20 significant scandals that have garnered international attention, along with the names of implicated government officials:

1. Global Fund Scandal (2005): Misappropriation of funds from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, leading to the suspension of grants. Officials implicated included the First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni wife to the President,former Health Ministers Jim Muhwezi and Mike Mukula.
2. GAVI Funds Mismanagement (2006): Embezzlement of funds from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization meant for immunization programs. Health officials, including Dr. Alex Kamugisha, were implicated.
3. CHOGM Scandal (2007): Misuse of funds allocated for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, involving inflated procurement costs. By then,former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya was implicated.
4. National ID Project Scandal (2010): Funds meant for the national identification project were misappropriated, delaying the project. Officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs were implicated.
5. Office of the Prime Minister Scandal (2012): Embezzlement of funds intended for post-war recovery in Northern Uganda. Principal Accountant Geoffrey Kazinda was convicted in this case.
6. Pension Scam (2012): Ghost pensioners were created, leading to the loss of billions of shillings. Former Public Service Permanent Secretary Jimmy Lwamafa and other officials were implicated.
7. Katosi Road Scandal (2014): Fraudulent contracts and embezzlement in the construction of the Mukono-Katosi road. UNRA officials, including former Director of Finance Samuel Muhoozi, were implicated.
8. UNRA Scandal (2015): Misappropriation of funds within the Uganda National Roads Authority. Former UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina highlighted the loss of over UGX 4 trillion due to corruption.
9. Ministry of Public Service Scandal (2012): Diversion of funds meant for pension payments. Officials, including Jimmy Lwamafa, were implicated.
10. Health Sector Corruption (2012): Embezzlement of funds meant for health services, leading to drug shortages. Health Ministry officials were implicated.
11. NAADS Scandal (2013): Mismanagement of the National Agricultural Advisory Services funds. Several district officials were implicated.
12. Basajjabalaba Compensation Scandal (2011): Inflated compensation claims leading to loss of public funds. Businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba and former ministers Syda Bbumba and Khiddu Makubuya were implicated.
13. Temangalo Land Scandal (2008): Controversial land purchase involving the National Social Security Fund. Former Security Minister Amama Mbabazi was implicated.
14. Microfinance Support Centre Scandal (2010): Misappropriation of funds meant for microfinance institutions. Officials from the Microfinance Support Centre were implicated.
15. National Forestry Authority Scandal (2012): Illegal sale of forest land and embezzlement of funds. Former NFA Executive Director Damian Akankwasa was implicated.
16. Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Scandal (2014): Mismanagement and embezzlement of funds within the national broadcaster. Former UBC Managing Director Paul Kihika was implicated.
17. Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority Scandal (2013): Corruption in the procurement processes leading to loss of funds. PPDA officials were implicated.
18. Ministry of Education Scandal (2015): Embezzlement of funds meant for Universal Primary Education. Several ministry officials were implicated.
19. Youth Livelihood Program Scandal (2016): Funds meant for youth projects were misappropriated. District officials were implicated.
20. COVID-19 Relief Funds Scandal (2020): Mismanagement of funds allocated for COVID-19 response.
21. Karamoja Iron Sheets Scandal (2023): Misappropriation of iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in Karamoja. High-ranking officials, including Speaker of Parliament Anita Among ,Minister for Karamoja Affairs Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu State Minister, were implicated

Ntege Lubwama Williams
Human Rights Defender & Activist
Toronto, Canada