New Twist! Mbarara Mayor Kakyebezi, top political leaders push to oust city CFO over alleged project sabotage

Amos Tayebwa-Mbarara

A fresh confrontation has erupted at Mbarara City Council, with Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi and other political leaders demanding the removal of City Chief Finance Officer David Mbarekye over allegations of incompetence, financial mismanagement and deliberate sabotage of government projects.

During a press conference held at City Hall on Monday, November 2, 2026, Kakyebezi and his team accused Mbarekye of causing financial losses, frustrating service delivery and delaying payments for critical city operations.

The political leaders said they had resolved to direct the City Town Clerk to initiate procedures requiring Mbarekye to step aside and face investigations into alleged corruption and financial irregularities.

Stalled Projects and Financial Losses

Kakyebezi accused the CFO of frustrating the implementation of government-funded projects through delayed payments and failure to process financial transactions.

One of the major projects cited was the construction of two road links connecting Major Victor Bwana and Makhansing roads, which has reportedly stalled following the failure to process payments to the contractor, JAGENS Technical Services.

The project, valued at approximately Shs1.99 billion, was expected to be funded under the USMID Infrastructure Development programme.

According to Kakyebezi, the contractor was entitled to an advance payment under the contractual agreement but was instead forced to finance part of the works using its own resources.

The contractor reportedly completed about 50 per cent of the project, but payment for a certified 30 per cent of the works remains outstanding, prompting legal action against the City Council.

Recently, Paul Tusubira & Co. Advocates, representing JAGENS Technical Services, issued a notice of intention to sue Mbarara City Council, demanding payment for the completed works within seven days, together with interest.

Kakyebezi blamed the financial dispute on alleged negligence by the CFO, saying the City had been exposed to unnecessary legal challenges.

He further accused Mbarekye of allegedly receiving and concealing crucial financial correspondence relating to the Shs1.99 billion that had been placed at the Bank of Uganda pending approval of a Letter of Credit in favour of JAGENS Technical Services.

The Mayor presented letters from the Bank of Uganda to journalists, indicating that the financial institution had sought clarification from the City Accounting Officer regarding the Letter of Credit application for upgrading the 0.16-kilometre Makhansing-Major Victor Bwana road links.

According to the correspondence, the transaction could not be completed because the Head of Finance had failed to confirm the Letter of Credit application, resulting in the funds being returned to the Consolidated Fund.

Kakyebezi alleged that the CFO’s failure to fulfil the required financial procedures caused the City to lose the opportunity to implement the project as planned.

Ghost Health Facilities Allegation

The Mayor and his team also accused Mbarekye of presenting questionable financial reports concerning health facilities in Mbarara City.

Kakyebezi said that on August 20, 2026, the City Executive Committee requested a financial report from the CFO regarding health institutions operating within the City.

However, the report presented before the Multipurpose Committee reportedly raised concerns after several health facilities listed in it were found to be located in neighbouring Mbarara District rather than Mbarara City.

Among the facilities cited were St. Francisca Makonje HC II, Bubare HC, Bucuro HC, Bwengure HC III, Bwizibwera HC IV, Itara HC, Kagongi HC, Kariro HC, Karwensanga HC, Kashare HC, Mabira HC, Mugarusya HC, Nyabisirira HC, Nyarubungo HC, Rubaya HC, Rubindi HC and St. Joseph’s Rubindi HC.

Kakyebezi questioned why the facilities had been included in the City’s financial reports alongside their annual budgets, alleging that the entries could have been intended to facilitate the diversion of public funds.

The Mayor further accused Mbarekye of allegedly diverting approximately Shs57 million earmarked for measles and rubella activities and transferring it to the Works Department without justification.

The political leaders also accused the CFO of withholding staff and councillors’ salaries and allowances, further worsening the City’s financial and administrative challenges.

Kakyebezi Demands CFO’s Exit

Speaking during the press conference, Kakyebezi said the City leadership could no longer tolerate what he described as illegalities, irregularities and deliberate obstruction of government programmes.

He insisted that the CFO was an employee of Mbarara City Council and that the institution had the authority to address concerns regarding his conduct.

The Mayor directed the City Town Clerk to initiate procedures for Mbarekye to step aside, warning that failure to resolve the dispute could force other officials to leave office.

“We are here by instructing the City Town Clerk to procedurally make the CFO step aside, and if it’s not possible, both of you must get out of those offices and vacate so that Mbarara City can have peace,” Kakyebezi said.

He added that causing financial loss to the City was a serious matter that required accountability.

CFO Responds

When contacted for a comment, Mbarekye said he was a public servant and urged the Mayor and other complainants to follow established procedures instead of publicly accusing him.

He advised those dissatisfied with his office to report the alleged irregularities to the relevant accountability institutions, including the Inspectorate of Government, State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Auditor General or the responsible minister.

“Let those who are complaining against me go to the relevant authorities like the IGG, State House Anti-Corruption, Auditor General or even to Minister Barum and report me there. I cannot even respond to those shouting. I respond to the channels that I have talked about,” Mbarekye said.

The latest confrontation marks the second time Mbarara City Council leadership has demanded that the CFO step aside.

Previously, the Council resolved to interdict Mbarekye, who remained away from office until his interdiction expired, allowing him to return to work.

The renewed dispute now threatens to deepen divisions within Mbarara City Council as political leaders push for his removal while the CFO insists that complaints against him should be handled through the appropriate accountability channels.