Kingdom Minister embroiled in land conflict with more than 500 residents

HOIMA – Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom (BKK), Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, John Appolo Rwamparo Rwakiswaza is embroiled in land conflict with more than 500 residents in Hoima district over land.

The affected residents are from Kihohoro, Kakira-ngobye and Busanga villages in Buraru sub-county in Hoima district.

The two parties are fighting over land measuring 400 hectares with a land title of 1983 in the names of Herbart Kimera Rwakiswaza, who is Rwamparo’s late father.

The residents made their plea during a meeting convened by Bugahya County Member of Parliament, Pius Wakabi in Kihohoro village on Friday following a petition by the residents seeking the MP’s intervention into the matter.

Moses Kugonza, the Chairperson Kihohoro village expressed concern over the increasing harassment by Rwamparo’s agent and security.

Kungonza claimed that the Rwamparo is using armed men to harass and arrest them as one way of intimidating the residents so that they can vacate the land of their ancestors.

According to him, the conflict between the residents and Rwamparo started early in 2000 when Rwamparo started claiming the land.

According to the document they presented to the MP, in 2002 George Kolekwa and 27 others appealed in Fort Portal’s High Court after Rwamparo had won a case of trespass on his land situated and known as Bujenje plot 17 block 15 which he had filed at Hoima Grade One Magistrate Court.

According to the document in 2007, the High Court in Fort Portal presided over by Justice Rugadya Atwoki ruled in the favour of the appellants and ordered the respondent Rwamparo to pay all the court costs to the plaintiffs.

The residents claimed that instead of respecting the court ruling and paying the costs as the court had directed, Rwamparo resumed threats of evicting the residents. According to them, since 2007 Rwamparo has been silent adding that he resumed the claim early this year.

Kyamanywa Tadeo, a resident of Kakira-ngobye village says, people are leaving in fear because of the eviction threats by Rwamparo.

He noted that some people especially the village leaders are no longer sleeping in their houses in fear of being arrested at night by the agents of Rwamparo who always invade their villages with armed men in police and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) uniforms.

He noted that they have several times petitioned the area leaders and the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for intervention in vain and demanded the president intervenes in the matter.

Robert Mwanga, the Buraru sub-county Chairman asked the government to compensate Rwamparo under the land fund and leave the land to the residents.

“These people have stayed here for decades, where does he expect them to go, if it is true that this land belongs to him (Rwamparo)? Let the government come out and compensate him and leave our people in peace,” Mwanga demanded.

In his response MP Wakabi, expressed concern over the increasing land conflicts resulting in rich people grabbing the land of the poor.

He noted that there is a need to fight for the rights of the poor and promised to support the residents in fighting for their land. He called on the residents to remain calm and continue utilizing their land saying, nobody will evict them without following the laws.

The Hoima District Police Commander (DPC) Ruth Tukamusima denied police involvement in the land wrangle and promised to follow up on the matter to ascertain the security personnel who are being used to harass and threaten residents.

When contacted, Rwampaaro said the land legally belongs to his family since they secured it in the 1970’s. He explained that residents are just encroaching on their land saying that the land has a title which was processed in the right process.

He noted that in 2007, the High Court in Fort Portal which was presided over Justice Rugadya Atwoki did not cancel the title adding that Justice Rugadya only dismissed the case because he (Rwamparo) did not appear in court on that the day of hearing the case because the appellants did not serve him.

He challenged the residents to go to court instead of trading rumours that they are being evicted on their land which they have no ownership.

“I am engaging and informing them that this land belongs to me, but they failed to understand. They are talking about winning the case, how did they win the case? The case was just dismissed because I did not appear in court since I was not served and so my land title was not cancelled. Recently, they went in Masindi land registry and made search and found my title there now what are they talking about?” Rwamparo defended himself.

https://thecooperator.news/gulu-city-councilors-petition-president-museveni-over-delayed-remittance-of-local-revenue/

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20 cattle die of suspected poisoning in Lira City

LIRA – A total of 20 cattle from Ngetta ginnery in Anyangapuc ward, Lira City East division, Lira City have died after taking water that is suspected to have been contaminated with poisonous chemicals.

According to the local leadership, the herd of cattle died in three separate days, 15 on Wednesday and Thursday then another tragedy of 5 unfolded on Friday.

Lira City East division, Mayor George Okello Ayo confirmed the incident and identified those who lost their animals as David Okello, Simple Ojok, Alex Alele and Leben Ebong both residents of Anyangapuc ward.

Okello Ayo asked the area communities to tip the police on the perpetrator who might have poisoned the cattle so that the suspect is arrested and prosecuted.

“Such things are not entertained within the communities. We have worked hard to restock after losing hundreds of cattle to the Karimojong, but others are busy planning to kill our cattle,” he says.

Ojok, who lost five of his animals, said he suspected the cattle drunk the poisonous water near Tegot Ngetta since they were moving freely to look for water and pastures.

“Most of the water sources including pastures have dried up and we are no longer grazing them,” he said.

Alele and Okello also alleged that their cattle took the same water which has caused them a lot of losses and damage.

Early last year, authorities of Lira City imposed a Shs 50,000 fine on each domestic animal found straying in the city.

It stemmed as a result of public outcry of the high number of domestic animals walking in the city, which at times destroys both private and government properties.

Local leaders and the communities alleged that some wrong elements might have used the availability of the indoor residual spray chemicals to poison their animals.

On 2nd ,March 2022, Lira City launched Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) exercise in Anai ward and is due to end on 26th March,2022.

But the health expert in charge of the IRS denied the allegation.

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President Museveni bans private pharmacies operating within government hospital boundaries

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the immediate closure of all private pharmacies operating within government health facilities.

The development comes a few days after the interdiction of Dr Baterana Byarugaba, the Mulago National Referral Hospital’s Executive Director on allegations of misappropriating of more than Shs 28b through different shoddy activities and schemes.

In a reference letter dated 8th February, 2022, the president directed all private pharmacies operating inside government hospitals to exit.

The president was however re-echoing an earlier directive he issued on 30th September 2019 that was not implemented.

“Further reference is made to the letter from the National Drug Authority (NDA) dated 7th October 2019 wherein you were requested not to facilitate any application of private pharmacies in your facilities for the licensing cycle for the year 2020,” reads part of the letter.

“The purpose of this letter is to communicate and inform you of the steps taken by NDA to implement the said directive,” the letter adds.

Subsequently, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health directed National Drug Authority to implement the above directive.

Abiaz Rwamwiri, the spokesperson National Drug Authority confirmed that so far two private pharmacies that were operating within Mulago National Hospital have been closed.

“We received a directive from the Ministry of Health instructing us to close all private pharmacies within the government hospital. We immediately took action ordering all the private pharmacies that are operating in government hospitals.”

“And I am happy to report that the two pharmacies within Mulago are already closed. We also notified the administrators of all government hospitals not to enter in any understanding with private hospitals because we will not grant them any license as per the new government policy,” he added.

According to Rwamwiri, Mulago hospital has two private pharmacies, Mbarara (1), Hoima (1) and Kawempe (1) which will all have to be closed by the end of the week.

We tried to contact Celestine Barigye, the Executive Director, Mbarara Referral Hospital but he declined to disclose the fate of the private pharmacy being run at the facility by one Sam Rutahigwa.

https://thecooperator.news/acdp-parliament-directs-ministry-of-agriculture-to-investigate-none-payment-of-farmers/

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Gulu City Councilors petition President Museveni over delayed remittance of local revenue

GULU – Councilors of Gulu City Council and the two divisional councils of Bar Dege-Layibi and Pece Laroo have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni over the delay by the Central Government to remit local revenues.

For eight months, Gulu City has been operating without operational funds and local revenue remitted by the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development.

So far, the City has collected a total of Shs1.8 billion as local revenue, which has been remitted to the consolidated funds with Bank of Uganda.

Last year, the city council requested a supplementary budget of Shs 3.8 billion, which is yet to be presented on the floor of parliament.

In this financial year ending June, Parliament approved a budget of only Shs 490 million for Gulu City.

Lamex Lambert Akena, a City councilor says, on several occasions, the Gulu City leadership including Members of Parliament have raised the matter on the floor of parliament, held several meetings with ministers for the matter to be resolved in vain.

Akena says, the decision of the councilors and division leaders to petition President Museveni is to present to him how the city is struggling to operate without funds. The city leadership have vowed to camp in front of State House Entebbe should they be blocked from meeting the head of state.

The new financial management system, the Integrated Revenue Administrative System (IRAS) tasks Local Government to remit all their local revenue collections to the consolidated fund with Bank of Uganda before it is disbursed to the Local Government upon approval of their activities and budgets.

According to Akena, they requested for a supplementary budget from what they have collected themselves as the city but the ministry has kept quiet.

Robert Komakech, the Speaker of Bar-dege Layibi division says, as a result of the delayed remittance of local revenue by the Central Government, services like garbage collection, payment of utilities like water and electricity, opening and rehabilitation of community roads among others have been greatly affected.

Morris Odong, the Layibi South Division City Councilor wonders why the central government has in the recent past transferred town clerks so frequently. This he says, also affected the following up of the local revenue among other services that the Central Government should provide to the local governments.

Patrick Oola Lumumba, the Bar dege Layibi Division Mayor says, they are considering organizing a joint council meeting to resolve abandoning the use of the Integrated Revenue Administrative System (IRAS) saying, it has negatively impacted on the administration of the city and the division.

Lumumba says, as leaders who receive emoluments instead of salaries, they have not been paid for the last seven months and are currently struggling financially.

Lumumba further said, they want to revert to the older financial management system where local revenue is spent at source saying, it will ease and improve service delivery to the community members.

Florence Lalam, the Female Councilor for Laroo Pece, accused the Central Government officials of literally stealing their money which is meant to provide services to the locals from whom the money is collected.

Jim Mugunga, the Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development wondered whether the authorities followed all the required procedures to apply for the funds and were not remitted.

In a recent interview, Alfred Okwonga, the Gulu City Mayor said, they had followed all the procedures of requesting for the funds from the Ministry of Finance of which the ministry had asked until the end of February for the anomalies to be sorted.

Mugunga says, currently the government is cashless and that could be the reason for the delay in remittance of the funds to the city.

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DPP, Lady Justice Abodo drops murder charges against Pastor

KIKUUBE – The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo has dropped the murder charges against Pastor George Baguma commonly known as Kagenyi of Bwera Miracle Church in Kyangwali sub-county, Kikuube district.

Bwera Miracle church is under the stewardship of Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre Cathedral Kampala.

The dropping of charges comes a few weeks after the residents attacked and demolished the church structure which has been under construction.

In July last year, more than 400 residents petitioned the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Amlan Tumusime demanding his intervention into what they termed as mismanagement of a murder case of one of their residents, John Turyamureba.

The residents accused Pastor Kagenyi of conniving with seven people to kill Turyamureba over unclear reasons.

The suspects included; Stephanie Uwimaana, the wife of the deceased, Twekabe James and Richard Musiguzi, sons of the deceased, Samuel Mugisha, Alloys Habineza, John Mbabazi and Jackson Tushabomwe all members of Bwera Miracle Church.

In August 21st 2021, the seven suspects were arrested; however, 6 of the suspects that included the children and their mother were released on police bond.

The residents protested their release on bond, forcing police from Kampala headquarters Kibuli to carryout fresh investigations into the matter.

As police carried out their investigations, Nickson Ahereza, handed himself to police, claiming that he killed the deceased together with the Pastor.

However, the DPP in a communication that was delivered to residents in Bwera villages by CID Officers from Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala, Pastor Kagenyi and Nicolas Ahereza were exonerated.

According to the file that was read by Daniel Mugisa who led a team of CID officers, the DPP dropped the charges due to lack of substantial evidence to pin the suspects. According to the file which was presented to the resident, Ahereza, a key witness changed his statement that he had made at first.

According Mugisa, Ahereza denied knowing anything about the murder of Turyamureba and told the detectives that he was coached to tell lies against Pastor Kagenyi by a group of people who are in land wrangles with the Pastor. Ahereza told the detectives that the group promised to give him two acres of land after accomplishing the mission.

However, before Mugisa could complete delivering the DPP’s communication, residents speaking at the top of their voices protested DPP’s decision and accused Pastor Kagenyi of bribing the officers who handled the case.

Aston Muhwezi and Kareni Nabakyala said, the residents suspected that their witness was brainwashed to change his statement. They expressed their discontent about the judgement and vowed to appeal against the ruling.

“We are protesting because from the word go, police have not been serious with their work, after handing over the report to us, we will get somebody legal, to study the report and guide us. Then we shall sit as a village and seek a way forward, ” said Muhwezi.

But RDC Tumusime warned the residents who were threatening to harm Pastor Kagenyi against taking laws in their hands and told the residents that Pastor Kagenyi and Ahereza were free to live in the village without any disturbance.

He added that the law is ready to catch up with all those who will go against the DPP’s decision and advised them to appeal instead of engaging in violence

“According to the DPP, Kagenyi has no case, he did not kill the person, I am telling you this as an RDC. If you go against this decision, you will be arrested so let me hope those with ears have heard,” the RDC warned the angry residents.

Pastor Kagenyi commended DPP for exonerating him but accused police for failing to protect him and his property. He noted that in December last year, a group of residents attacked and demolished the church, his houses and the houses of his followers and the suspects are still free in the village.

The District Police Commander (DPC) for Kikuube district, Richard Asiimwe condemned the actions of the residents adding that the police had launched investigations into the murder.

“You people, you should not think that this is Congo, this is Uganda where laws are still working, the only person who is above the law in this Country is the President, if a general, an MP can be arrested, how about you the peasant of Bwera.”

https://thecooperator.news/police-on-the-spot-over-rising-number-of-criminal-gangs-in-gulu/

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Boda-boda riders lose millions of shillings from theft of motorcycles in Gulu

GULU – In the last twelve months, more than 170 motorcycles have been stolen from Gulu West and Gulu East Boda-boda Associations.

The motorcycle taxi, commonly known as boda bodas are the main means of transportation in Uganda and employs about 1.5 million youths according to Ministry of Works and Transport.

Raymond Ocan, the Chairperson Gulu West boda-boda association told theCooperator that they have lost 135 motorcycles which is approximately worth Shs 800 million.

Ocan said, most of their members acquired these motorcycles through loans from the various microfinance institutions that are putting pressure on the association to repay the loans.

The General Secretary, Gulu East boda-boda association, Godfrey Ojok is also facing similar challenges with more than 40 motorcycles stolen from the association within one year.

Ojok said, most of his members are now borrowing the motorcycles from their colleagues to raise money to settle their loans from the financial institutions.

The intelligence report from the security revealed that most of the motorcycles being stolen from the area are mainly taken to Karamoja region.

Denis Odongpiny, the Resident City Commissioner for Gulu revealed in an interview with theCooperator on Wednesday that the thugs are exchanging the motorbikes with cattle from the region.

“We have established their networks which will help our investigation but the most important thing is that we need to improve on our personal security and be vigilant,” Odongpiny noted.

His counterpart, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Stephen Odong Latek of Gulu District described the situation as a big security concern which needs to be handled with structural approaches within the region.

The Officer incharge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for Awsa River Region, Justus Twongyeirwe noted that many of such cases were not reported to police.

However, without disclosing the number of theft related cases of motorcycles that police have recorded, he noted that no investigations by the police has been linked to Karamoja.

“Yes, we can’t overrule that from our sister security organs but as police, our investigations have not linked any of the cases to Karamoja for exchange with cattle,” Twongyeirwe explained.

Meanwhile, as the vice escalates in the area, the riders have established a regional leadership structure of a boda-boda association within Acholi sub-region to streamline their governance and operation.

Maxwell Komakech, the Chairperson Patiko sub-county Boda-boda association in Gulu district was elected the Chairperson Boda-boda Association for Acholi sub-region.

The Chairman of the Omoro district Boda-boda Association was elected as the General Secretary, Secretary Finance was taken up by Kenneth Odong from Gulu district.

Ivan Ojok from Gulu West Boda-boda Association became the Regional Speaker and Emmy Ocen from Amuru district was elected as the Publicity Secretary for the association.

The association has also established different committees which include the disciplinary for dispute resolution, enforcement team and the regional coordination team.

Francis Lubangakene, the Chairperson Gulu East Boda-boda Association who doubles as the Chairperson disciplinary committee for the regional association is hopeful that this will reduce crime rates within the association.

He revealed that the association is in the process of drafting a constitution to regulate their operation, governance system; something he says will help protect both their customers and the members.

The elections were conducted on Saturday in Gulu City at Lamaco hotel presided over by the General Secretary Gulu East Boda-boda Association Godfrey Ojok as the Returning Officer.

The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah was endorsed as the Patron of the association being supported by Rosalba Oywaa with all the Resident District Commissioners co-opted as the opinion leaders.

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Kikuube locals storm RDC’s office over appointment of land board chairman

KIKUUBE – More than 150 residents representing over 540 families from Kabwoya sub-county in Kikuube district on Monday afternoon stormed the offices of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) demanding the Office of the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to intervene and order Kikuube district council to drop the name of Ignatius Muganyizi as the Chairperson district land board.

Kikuube district council two weeks ago appointed Muganyizi as the Chairperson of the district land board amidst protests from community members and the area members of parliament and a section of Councillors.

Muganyizi’s appointment as the district land board Chairperson was made by 13 Councilors out of 24 during a council meeting that was presided over by Christopher Nkalu, the Speaker during a session held at Lake Albert Guest house in Kyehoro landing site, Kabwoya sub-county, Kikuube district.

The residents carrying placards with words like; I have refused to have Muganyizi as district land board Chairman, we disagree with Muganyi’s appointment as Chairperson Kikuube district land board, there is a lot of forged land titles in the district as a result of Muganyizi.

Residents threatened to take the law into their hands if Kikuube leadership continues to keep a deaf ear on these concerns.

They accused the Kikuube district council of being corrupt, adding that the appointment of Muganyizi was influenced by land grabbers in the region.

According to them, before the council approved Muganyizi as district land board boss, they (residents) petitioned the office of the district Chairman Peter Banura and the Speaker, Chris Nkaru but they ignored the petition and went ahead with their interest.

According to them, Muganyizi’s integrity was tainted when he was working as the Kabwoya sub-county area land committee chairperson.

Led by John Mugabo, the LC1 Chairperson of Kyabayanja village, the aggrieved residents allege that Muganyizi then as Chairman area land committee of Kabwoya sub-county connived with several tycoons and titled people’s land illegally.

One of the tycoons is Mustafa Zaidi who owns 925 hectares of land with a title in names of MZ Agencies which land is also claimed by residents.

They also accuse Muganyizi of having connived with one Maria Conslata and titled people’s land measuring 420 hectare. It also alleged that during Muganyizi’s time, land measuring 1000 acres belonging to Kabwoya-Maaya youth were illegally titled.

The protesters were from the villages of Kyabayanja, Kimbugu, Kiburara A, Kiburara B, Nyamiriki and Nyangabi holding placards and singing Nawaka, Omwoto denounced the appointment of Muganyizi.

The residents handed over a petition to the RDC signed by over 150 affected residents demanding the cancellation of Muganyizi’s appointment saying that his appointment will fuel land grabbing in the entire district.

The residents, included old women and men who argued that since the district failed to listen to them, they demand the office of the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and the Minister of Lands, Judith Nabakooba to intervene.

While receiving the petition, Amlan Tumusiime, the Kikuube Resident District Commissioner commended the residents for using civil means of expressing their grievances instead of taking the law into their hands.

He noted that Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja had been informed about the issues and promised to deliver their petition to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Lands about the whole matter before Muganyizi fully takes over office.

Tumusiime told the residents that some district leaders are plotting for his transfer because of standing with the community. He noted 90% of the cases which his office handles daily are related to land but the leaders have failed to understand this challenge.

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Rehabilitation works at Agoro irrigation scheme worry farmers

LAMWO – The slow pace at which the rehabilitation works at Agoro Irrigation Scheme is moving is worrying farmers.

They argue that as the dry season sets in next month, many are likely to be affected since the water at the scheme will not be reaching their farmlands.

Farmers within Agoro Irrigation Scheme, under Agoro Self-help Irrigation Cooperative Society Limited, in Agoro sub-county, Lamwo district total about 600.

They grow crops like sorghum, millet, rice and vegetables, mostly for commercial purpose.

In 2013, Ministry of Water and Environment injected Shs 27 billion into the rehabilitation of Agoro irrigation scheme in its bid to boost farming productivity among the community.

However, due to shoddy work, the facility has not helped members of the cooperative to realize their expectations.

In August this year, the Ministry of Water and Environment reached out to a contractor to carry out rehabilitation works to the tune of Shs 1.7 billion and it is expected to be finished by April next year.

However, the works have not been to expectations, looking at its slow pace.

Farmers argue that they are at cross- roads, as the canals at the scheme are too deep thereby failing the water to reach their farmlands.

The irrigation scheme has three sections; the water collection point, where water is pumped to the dam before it reaches the drainage where the water is channeled through the canals before it reaches the gardens.

However, the farmers argue that the dam is not appropriate to the drainage, something that makes it difficult for the water to reach the canals that supply water to the gardens.

The LC III Chairperson, Agoro sub-county Denis Onyon, argues that the Ministry of Water was duped when it got a contractor who also subcontracted another company that has failed to do the works to its expectations.

“Imagine from August 10th, this year, to date, it’s 2% of work done. It will soon be dry season, but we have nothing in place.”

The farmers have reached out to us leaders, but we cannot help much since several meetings called to meet the contractor have not yielded any positive result.

Allan Ocaya, Chairperson of the cooperative, tasked Ministry of Water officials to task the contractor to speed up with the works otherwise farmers are losing hope.

“If you are to look at the works on the ground and the part payment of Shs 300 million given to the contractor, the work is too small,” he said.

Ms Brenda Okao, Communications Officer, Northern region in Ministry of Water and Environment acknowledged that the rehabilitation works are moving at a slow pace.

“The contractor is on the ground working but he needs to be pushed and that is what we are doing as the ministry,” he said.

One of the farmers at the scheme, Joyce Lakaraber, who deals in cabbage growing said, the Ministry of Water should consider sourcing contractors within the district for effective supervision.

“If the contractor is from within, we can put them to task for speedy works,” she said.

Many of the members are considering pulling out, yet they feel working under a cooperative has been key in improving their livelihood at household level.

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Prime Minister Nabanja accuses Minister Onek of indiscipline.

KAMPALA – The Prime Minister Robinah Nabanja has accused the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hillary Onek of indiscipline.

This was after Minister Hillary Onek wrote a letter trending on social media and copied the president accusing her of usurping his roles and that of his deputy as Ministers of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees.

“I have not seen the letter but if the minister decided to write to me that is different. It is indiscipline because his office is next to my office so if he felt something bad was going on he would have come to my office and we harmonize,” says Nabbanja.

“You want to tell me that people should steal money when you are seated and I fail to come in. Fellow Ugandans things have changed, so I ask my fellow ministers to come and we walk together because we have little time. We are not going to blow off,” she added.

This all started after assuming her office, the Prime Minister immediately started visiting disaster affected areas such as the Kasese floods where she delivered several relief items such as blankets, meals and soap.

In a letter circulating on social media dated October 29, 2021, signed by Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hilary Onek complained about Nabbanja’s conduct of not involving his office while executing duties related to his docket.

“From the time of your appointment, I have been observing with total displeasure the fact that my role and that of my deputy as the ministers in charge of refugees and disaster and the lead policy makers on matters of refugee and disaster management have been totally usurped by your office,” the letter reads in part.

Onek also adds that the Prime Minister has been side-lining the top officials and only considering his juniors while visiting refugee camps.

“You have been calling for meetings, going to disaster affected places and visiting refugee settlements without informing either my office or that of my deputy. To my shock, my staff who I supervise are the ones being called for a meeting with the local leadership of Bududa without involving my office or even the area Members of Parliament, which may lead to decisions being made that contradicts earlier and official cabinet position

Hon Onek adds that using such approaches will duplicate his efforts in the office of disaster and preparedness.

The letter also compels the Prime Minister to restrain herself from using excessive force while pinning corrupt leaders holding government positions without making further investigations.

“You have also purged the department of disaster management, taken over the distribution of relief items and causing interdiction of staff members without proper investigation. The interdicted staff were accused of causing a financial loss without conducting a forensic audit by involving office of the auditor general,” reads in part.

“On 5th October 2021, you wrote to my office halting the settlement of refugees in Kyangwali over land ownership, this decision was arrived at without involving either me or my deputy or any technical staff from the department of refugees” the letter further reads.

Onek further advised Nabbanja that her constitutional powers stop at coordinating legislative agenda, leading government business in parliament and monitoring all ministries and government programs but not involving in micro management of other ministries.

“If you decide to micromanage other ministries, what then is the role of the senior ministers who are supposed to plan, make policies and deliver on the manifestoes of H.E the president,” Onek asked in a letter.

The letter was copied to President Y.K Tubuhaburwa Museveni, Speaker of Parliament, Deputy speaker of parliament and to the PPS to H.E the President.

Onek further threatened to withdraw from the ministry responsible for disasters and preparedness should the prime minister continue working in isolation.

“If you have decided to carry on working like this and rendering my docket irrelevant, kindly put it in writing to H.E the president who is the appointing authority and I will relieve myself on my responsibilities and allow you carry on with your duties, “reads the letter.

In a media briefing on Tuesday, prime minister Nabbanja vowed not to withdraw her operational methods but insisted to keep working with only government officials willing to change the face of Uganda in terms of service delivery.

Most legislators supported Nabbanja’s way of doing government works claiming that it will awaken ministers who have been sleeping on government positions for long.

Others claimed that Nabbanja’s business of doing things will undermine powers of her junior ministers in government.

“Nabbanja wants to show off to the president that she is hardworking but in turn she is undermining her junior ministers,” says MP Paul Semakula Rutamaguza representing Nakaseke South.

Our correspondent tried to reach Minister Onek to respond to this accusation but his renowned phone numbers were off.

Robinah Nabbanja was appointed as Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament in June 2021 replacing Rt Hon. Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.

https://thecooperator.news/prime-minister-nabbanja-intervenes-in-a-refugee-camp-land-conflict/

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No cabinet position yet on bail – Attorney General

KAMPALA – The Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka has said cabinet is yet to adopt a position on the issue of scrapping bail on certain cases as advocated for by the President.

Mr. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, while attending an engagement meeting between the Government Chief Whip and the media at Parliament put it clear that cabinet has not taken any position yet on the issue of bail.

Kiryowa’s reaction follows multiple media reports that a position had already been taken, and soon it will be an issue on the floor of Parliament.

The Attorney General said, the issue was brought in cabinet, and discussions are still on-going before a position is adopted.

“It is an issue in cabinet, and discussions are still on going. You will all know once a position is adopted,” he told the media.

Kiryowa Kiwanuka also called on the media to always invest in research while on duty to have informed positions.

President Museveni has revived the bail debate with intent to have it scraped off on certain of crimes.

Politicians and other political observers have remarked that the move is intended to target political dissent and clamping on politicians.

In his opinion, President Museveni thinks capital offenders should be denied bail, or the constitutional pre-trial release until after at least six months on remand.

The Constitution Article 23, Clause 6 grants offenders a right to pre-trial release with a basis in Article 28 of the same constitution which states that an accused person is innocent until proved or pleads guilty.

Cabinet is set to introduce a range of reforms, among them amendments to the Constitution and the Police Act, to tighten the hands of judicial officers in exercising the discretion to grant or deny bail.

The Attorney General calls for calmness as work on the proposed reforms proceed.

https://thecooperator.news/anglican-bishops-report-caos-deos-to-state-house-anti-corruption-unit/

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