GRAFT WARS: NRM Top Official Probed Over Intimidating Koboko CAO Akera John Bosco

By PATRICK JARAMOGI

ENTEBBE, Uganda [SHIFTMEDIA] President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni , Chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement Online (NRM), has ordered the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) to investigate Naham Medina, the Director of Finance at the NRM secretariat. Medina is alleged to have issued intimidation threats against Akera John Bosco, the Chief Administrative Officer of Koboko District. These threats reportedly stem from Akera’s decision to interdict two district officials for gross misconduct and causing financial loss amounting to UGX 92 million.

The controversy began with Akera’s interdiction of Mr. Mabe Ismail, the Senior Human Rights Officer of Koboko, and Dr. Onzima Stephen, the District Production Officer. The two officials were implicated in a scandal involving the unauthorized payment of salaries for 11 months to one Norman Galla Abason, the District Agricultural Officer. Galla had been granted a 24-month study leave to pursue a Master’s degree in Animal Science but failed to return to duty as scheduled in 2019. There are no official records confirming that Galla, an animal nutritionist was actively engaged in studies during his leave, and he is reportedly residing in Bramley in the United Kingdom.

According to our investigations, Norman Galla was appointed on 15 February 2016, as per Koboko District Service Commission minute 30/216. He was then confirmed on 2 June 2017, as per DSC min 72/217. As per the appointment, Galla was earning UGX 2,406,165 per month. Galla Norman (below) graduated at Makerere University with a Bachelor of Science (Bsc) Agriculture General in 2012.

 

Galla immediately applied for a 24 months study leave that was granted effective 18^th September 2017.

The financial mismanagement came to light when it was revealed that Galla continued to receive his monthly salary during his absence, leading to a financial loss of UGX 92 million to the Koboko District Local Government. In response, Akera took decisive action by interdicting the implicated officials, as well as directing the Koboko District Service Commission to interdict Galla Norman, a move that has been met with resistance and alleged intimidation. This resistance comes amidst the backdrop of the investigations by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) regarding absence from duty by Galla.

Medina, a high-ranking official within the NRM secretariat and reportedly a “daughter of the soil” in Koboko District, is accused of leveraging her position to intimidate Akera for his anti-corruption efforts. According to sources, the intimidation tactics are intended to deter further investigations into the misappropriation of public funds and the conduct of the interdicted officials.

Intimidating Calls

According to Akera, Naham called him on December 4 2024 threatening to file corruption charges against him. In a phone recording that has been submitted to police for investigations, Naham is heard telling Akera that he is interdicting the sons of the soil (from Koboko) so as to recruit his tribes-mate the Alur.

Our efforts to get a comment from Naham, as well as the NRM Secretary General Rt Hon Richard Todwong were futile.

Akera has petitioned the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and the CID, seeking intervention and protection against these threats. His petition underscores the risks faced by officials who take a stand against corruption and highlights the challenges of maintaining accountability within local government institutions.

In the petition dated 19^th December 2024 (REF CR/D/213/6), that we obtained, Akera who took over the position of CAO Koboko in May 2021, replacing Bimbona Simon who has since retired accuses Naham of frustrating his administrative duties.

Our highly placed sources at State House intimated to us that President Museveni’s directive for the CID to investigate Medina signals a serious commitment to addressing these allegations and safeguarding the integrity of the NRM.

Source close to the State House Anti Corruption Unit told us that a team of investigators has been identified to immediately investigate and report to the Fountain of Honor.

The President’s intervention could serve as a litmus test for the party’s stance on corruption and its willingness to hold even senior officials accountable, especially ahead of the forthcoming 2026 general elections.

This case highlights ongoing challenges in combating corruption and ensuring accountability within local government institutions. Akera, who hails from Zombo District, has been commended by some for taking a firm stance against corruption, and especially for recovery of some of the monies squandered (so far UGX 11m has been recovered out of the salaries for 11 months’ worth UGX 26,660,315) . However, the alleged threats against him underscore the risks faced by whistleblowers and officials committed to upholding integrity in public service.

As investigations unfold, key questions remain: What role did Medina play in the alleged intimidation? Were there systemic failures that allowed the financial mismanagement to persist? And most importantly, what measures will be put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future?

The outcome of this case will likely have significant implications for the fight against corruption in Uganda. It will also test the resilience of local government structures in maintaining accountability and protecting officials who take a stand against malpractice. The public will be watching closely as the CID conducts its investigation and as the NRM leadership addresses the broader issues raised by this controversy.