Masindi, Uganda — The Member of Parliament for Buruli County, Hon. Ronald Aled Akugizibwe, has been accused of allegedly mobilising residents to stage protests against Masindi Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Sanon Dhaala during Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara’s rally in the district.
Information reaching this publication indicates that some residents have allegedly been mobilised to display manila placards bearing messages such as “Deputy RDC is a land grabber” and calling for Dhaala’s transfer from Masindi.
According to sources familiar with the alleged mobilisation, residents who speak at the rally have reportedly been promised Shs200,000 each, while those who display the placards would allegedly receive Shs20,000 and lunch.
“He has planted a number of purported land victims and promised Shs200,000 to those who will speak at the rally, while those who will raise the manila papers have been promised Shs20,000 and lunch for that day,” the sources alleged.
Minister Balaam is scheduled to conduct a campaign dubbed “Expose the Corrupt” across the Bunyoro Sub-region. According to the programme, the campaign will start in Kiryandongo on October 6, followed by Masindi on October 7, Buliisa on October 8, Hoima City on October 9, Hoima District on October 10 and Kikuube District on October 11.
Multiple sources told this publication that Akugizibwe has on several occasions sought Dhaala’s transfer from Masindi but has not succeeded.
The sources allege that the legislator hopes that presenting purported land victims at the minister’s rally will strengthen his case for Dhaala’s removal from the district.
The reported dispute between Akugizibwe and Dhaala is said to have lasted nearly three years, with the legislator allegedly repeatedly calling for the Deputy RDC’s transfer.
Dispute over RDC’s transfer
Information obtained by this publication indicates that Akugizibwe recently contacted an official in the Office of the President regarding a three-page letter he had reportedly written to the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, seeking Dhaala’s transfer.
In a phone recording received by this publication, the legislator is heard asking the official about the progress of his letter.
“Yes, how far with my letter?” Akugizibwe asks.
The official responds that he is still with other people and questions how the legislator obtained his telephone number.
The official also accuses the legislator of refusing to disclose who had given him the number, while Akugizibwe maintains that the official can continue investigating how he obtained the contact.
The authenticity, completeness and context of the recording could not independently be established by this publication.
Dhaala responds
When contacted about the allegations, Dhaala said he had received more than 15 telephone calls from different people, including residents, claiming that they had been mobilised to display placards calling for his transfer and accusing him of land grabbing.
Dhaala denied the allegations of wrongdoing and said his disagreement with Akugizibwe dates back to the launch of the construction of Tantara Bridge.
According to Dhaala, Akugizibwe claimed that he had lobbied and funded the construction of the bridge.
“He alleged that he is the one who lobbied for the construction of the bridge, and when it was my turn to speak, I campaigned for the President and told residents that the government is the one that constructed the bridge and other projects, including the seed schools in the constituency,” Dhaala said.
Dhaala further alleged that Akugizibwe had repeatedly contacted him, including on weekends, to attend his functions and had at one point attempted to make him his political assistant.
He also accused the legislator of writing several letters to his supervisors seeking his transfer and making allegations that he was a thief and land grabber.
“He has written several letters to my bosses and supervisors pushing for my transfer, blackmailing me that I am a thief, land grabber, among others. But when you ask him for evidence, he doesn’t have any,” Dhaala said.
Dhaala also alleged that Akugizibwe recently wrote to Minister Babalanda and attempted to engage an official in her office, allegedly offering Shs1 million to ensure that his letter reached the minister.
“It’s unfortunate that instead of serving the community, some leaders are fighting people who were appointed by the President instead of working together for effective service delivery,” he said.
Dhaala said he supports Minister Balaam’s campaign to expose corruption because, in his view, the initiative could help improve service delivery.
“I’m among the people who are supporting Minister Balaam for exposing and fighting corrupt officials because we need to improve service delivery for the citizens,” he said.
Dhaala denies corruption allegations
Dhaala said the Office of the RDC in Masindi had not been involved in corruption scandals involving government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
He appealed to residents to avoid what he described as divisive politics and instead support government programmes and report corruption through the appropriate channels.
“Anyone accusing me of land grabbing or theft of anything, whether government or private, should take me to courts of law instead of plotting to tarnish or blackmail my name,” he said.
Dhaala added that several people had advised him not to attend Minister Balaam’s rally but that he intended to attend because he is a leader and had no reason to avoid the minister’s programme.
He acknowledged that he had also requested a transfer from Masindi, saying his superiors were aware of his request.
“He has always wanted me to be transferred from Masindi, but I have also requested to be transferred due to the battles in Masindi, and my bosses are aware. But I can’t push my bosses for a transfer because I didn’t request to be transferred to Masindi,” he said.
Dhaala said the RDC’s office would continue serving the people regardless of who occupies the position.
“Whether I am here or not, the office of RDC is here to stay, but we shouldn’t fight battles for our own interests,” he said.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Akugizibwe regarding the allegations were unsuccessful by press time.
