By Aggrey Baba
Former MUBS principal, Prof. Wasswa Balunywa, could face up to 14 years in prison after being implicated in a public payroll scandal which caused financial loss to the government, one of the gravest offences under Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court Act.
Balunywa is accused of abusing his office by recruiting three administrative assistants (during his tenure) without the required academic qualifications, creating financial obligations that should not have existed. This is part of a wider investigation into over 30 senior government officials allegedly involved in payroll mismanagement, ghost workers, and other forms of abuse of office, which have collectively cost the government over UGX 53 billion.
Under the law, the offence of causing financial loss carries a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment, while other related offences such as corruption can attract up to 10 years, abuse of office seven years, and theft 10 years, meaning that if Balunywa is convicted on the financial loss charge alone, he could face the longest sentence permitted under the law.
The charges against him come after a thorough investigation by Uganda Police’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), which followed findings by the Auditor General revealing thousands of non-existent, retired, or absent employees still receiving salaries. CID’s inquiry found irregularities in several government agencies, including the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Entebbe Hospital, and the Uganda Police Force.
Twelve (12) of the accused officials were arrested from their offices and produced before the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero, Kampala. Those remanded include MUBS administrative staff, UCAA managers, hospital accountants, and security personnel.
Balunywa and other suspects who did not appear in court, including UCAA legal manager Joel Joseph Okwalinga, were issued summons.
The prosecution alleges that some officials deliberately neglected to remove ineligible employees from the payroll, resulting in millions of shillings being paid unlawfully. Balunywa’s case is notable because his recruitment of unqualified staff directly created ineligible financial obligations, which the law classifies as causing financial loss to the government.
The Anti-Corruption Court has scheduled hearings for the accused to present bail applications, with the main trial set to examine evidence collected by prosecutors. If convicted, Balunywa would not only face imprisonment but also set a precedent in Uganda’s fight against abuse of office and public sector corruption.
Observers say the case underscores the legal accountability that public officials face, particularly in managing government resources. The 14-year potential sentence highlights the seriousness with which the law treats the misappropriation or misuse of public funds, sending a clear message that even high-ranking officials in reputable institutions are not immune to prosecution.
