Police and the UPDF in Kabale District yesterday disrupted a sports event organized by Simon Agaba, a former aspirant for Ndorwa West MP, under the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
Agaba, who recently launched an annual event called the Ndorwa West Mk Football Tournament, had planned to award medals to participants of the concluded competition during a well-attended ceremony at Katwaro Playground in Ryakarimira Town Council, Kabale District. These medals were intended to replace those allegedly stolen by unidentified individuals on the final day of the tournament on May 26th, 2024.
The Officer in Charge of Ryakarimira Police Post, accompanied by armed UPDF officers, intervened on the football pitch and ordered players and their supporters to vacate the premises immediately.
The intervention came after Mr. Patrick Twesigye, LC1 Chairperson of Nyakitokoro Cell, Kacereere Ward in Ryakarimira Town Council, stated that he had not been notified about Agaba’s PLU event, declaring it unlawful and unauthorized to proceed. Twesigye arrived at the venue dressed in a yellow shirt bearing the names and portraits of Minister Bahati and President Yoweri Museveni.
Amidst the ensuing commotion, a group of suspected individuals removed the goalposts while Agaba’s team engaged in a heated dialogue with the authorities, including Police, UPDF, and other officials.
During the altercation, Agaba expressed frustration, citing the approval he claimed to have received from the Kabale District Police Commander and the Principal Assistant Town Clerk of Ryakarimira Town Council.
The LC1 Chairman and the O.C. of Ryakarimira T.C. insisted that there was no written documentation to support Agaba’s claims, a statement corroborated by Kabale District Police Commander, SP Joseph Bakaleke, in a phone interview. Bakaleke clarified that he had advised organizers to postpone the event and inform relevant authorities of the rescheduled date for security reasons.
However, some locals, including Sadam Babwekyeka and Clement Tukundane, blamed LC1 Chairman Twesigye for triggering the chaos, alleging that he had incited the disturbance after receiving a sum of Shs. 300,000 from State Minister of Trade and local MP David Bahati.
One of the football players, Derrick Ekinamushabire from Butanda Subcounty, claimed that Bahati had physically handed over Shs. 300,000 to Twesigye while returning from a fundraising event in Kahungye Subcounty. Ekinamushabire alleged that the money was intended to persuade certain players to withdraw from the football match.
This media outlet could not verify the allegations against Minister Bahati. However, our reporter encountered Ndorwa West Legislator at Katwaro Playground, where the PLW event was held. Bahati made a brief stop to address attendees before departing. Agaba arrived shortly afterward, accompanied by individuals wearing white shirts and caps adorned with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and PLW insignia.
Bahati, while departing, rolled down his car window and remarked, “ogwe arikunuza omukoro kusha,” loosely translated as “That one is only spicing up the goings-on.” Chaos erupted approximately 15 minutes after his departure.
The reporter attempted to reach Minister Bahati, who also serves as NRM Chairperson for Kabale District, for comment, but his known phone numbers were unreachable at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, Agaba was permitted to distribute medals, brand new footballs, and additional jerseys to participants of the Ndorwa West MK Football Tournament 2024. Security personnel allowed him to address approximately 70 youths comprising players and coaches, while instructing others to vacate the playground.
