The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has charged a former headteacher of Ntare School, Jimmy Turyagyenda, with abuse of office and causing the government a financial loss of 110.8 million shillings, in a case that shines a light on alleged payroll irregularities at one of Uganda's most prestigious schools.
Turyagyenda, who left the institution in 2023, appeared before Principal Magistrate Christopher Opit and denied all the charges. He is jointly accused with the school's current headteacher, Saul Rwampororo, and a typist at the school, Peace Kebirungi. The latter two were issued with criminal summons after they failed to appear in court to answer the charges.
Prosecution's Case
According to the prosecution, Kebirungi continued to receive a government salary from September 2015 to August 2024, even though she had allegedly abandoned her duties after obtaining study leave with pay. The state contends that Turyagyenda concealed these irregular payments before retiring from public service, while Rwampororo is accused of continuing the arrangement after taking over the school's leadership in 2023.
Prosecutors further allege that during the same period, both administrators authorised additional allowances for Kebirungi, drawn from school fees collected from students, despite her reportedly not reporting for work.
In 2023, Kebirungi is said to have applied for early retirement from public service. The prosecution alleges that Rwampororo forwarded her application even though she had allegedly abandoned duty and was not eligible to retire at the time. She eventually retired in 2024 and reportedly received terminal benefits, including gratuity and monthly pension payments.
Background of the Accused
Rwampororo previously served as the Bushenyi District Education Officer before his appointment as headteacher of Ntare School in 2023. He had earlier worked at the school as deputy headteacher and Chemistry teacher, giving him a long association with the institution.
Turyagyenda, for his part, faces charges of causing financial loss, abuse of office and uttering a false document. The offence of causing financial loss carries a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment upon conviction, while abuse of office attracts a maximum jail term of seven years.
Bail and Next Steps
Following an application by his lawyers, David Kamukama and Sarah Awero, the magistrate granted Turyagyenda cash bail of 5 million shillings after considering the substantial sureties presented in court. The two sureties, Isaac Atukunda, managing partner at Credo Advocates and deputy chancellor of North Kigezi Diocese of the Church of Uganda, and Martin Tayebwa, also from the same law firm, were each granted non-cash bail of 200 million shillings.
In his ruling, Opit noted that the sureties were officers of the court and had demonstrated their commitment to resolving the matter through their law firm. He pointed out that they had already transferred an advance of 110 million shillings through the firm as plea-bargaining proceedings continue.
The Inspectorate of Government prosecutor, Raphael Pappali, told the court that inquiries into the matter were still ongoing. He asked for an adjournment to allow the investigations to be completed, after which the prosecution would disclose the evidence it intends to rely on. The magistrate adjourned the case to November 20, 2026, for mention.
