Residents of Kitagwenda District are concerned regarding the absence of the District Chairperson for a month after going into hiding over corruption charges.
The Kitagwenda District Chairperson, Ismail Mushemeza abandoned office and went into hiding following corruption allegations and an attempted arrest by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Mushemeza was last seen on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during the final wrap-up of the NRM flag bearer elections in Kicheche Sub-county. Since then, he has neither been sighted in public nor returned to his office, fueling speculation about his whereabouts.
According to the Anti-Corruption Unit, Mushemeza is accused of extorting bribes from job seekers, allegedly charging between Shs 10 million and Shs 20 million from individuals seeking employment within Kitagwenda District.
The Unit’s spokesperson, Mariam Natasha, confirmed that the embattled chairperson fled deliberately to evade arrest after multiple reports pinned him on corruption-related offenses.
His disappearance comes at a politically sensitive time. In his absence, the NRM primaries proceeded, producing Hon. Efrance Kenyonyozi Atwongyere, a former Assistant RDC of Kitagwenda, as the party’s flag bearer.
The scandal has stirred widespread public anger, with residents demanding Mushemeza’s immediate arrest and accountability. His case adds to the growing list of corruption probes into local government leaders as authorities intensify efforts to crack down on abuse of office ahead of the 2026 general elections.
