KABALE — Senior lecturer and public management expert Dr. Joseph Tindyebwa (Don) has advised Kanungu Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Dr. Gad Arinaitwe Rugaju to consider resigning from public service and pursuing an academic career following his reported arrest during the monitoring and hunt of corrupt government officials by the Minister for Local Government Hon. Balaam Barugahara.
Tindyebwa, who is a Senior Lecturer of Public Management and Political Studies at Kampala International University, argues that the incident raises serious questions about the dignity, authority and relevance of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in Uganda’s governance system.
In a strongly worded commentary, Tindyebwa said Rugaju deserved fair and dignified treatment, arguing that the manner in which the incident unfolded undermined the office of the President’s representative in the district.
He maintained that although no public official is above the law, government officials should be treated with fairness and respect in the execution of their duties.
“Sorry to you RDCs, but please stand your ground as representatives of the President and do what you were appointed to do if you are to avoid more of such humiliations,” Tindyebwa advised.
‘GO BACK TO UNIVERSITY’
Tindyebwa challenged Rugaju to consider leaving public service for academia, arguing that his PhD qualifications could open doors to lecturing opportunities at Kabale University.
He suggested that an academic career could offer Rugaju a more dignified professional environment than remaining in an office where he believes presidential representatives risk being publicly embarrassed.
Tindyebwa further argued that where an RDC or deputy RDC is suspected of incompetence or misconduct, the appropriate administrative channels should be followed, including referring the matter to the relevant authorities for investigation and possible disciplinary action.
He questioned the circumstances surrounding Rugaju’s reported arrest, asking whether the incident had undermined the dignity of the presidency at the district level.
LAND ROW THAT SPARKED THE CONTROVERSY
The controversy stems from a land dispute involving Musinguzi Flora and her husband, Musinguzi Francis, which Rugaju’s office had been handling.
A letter seen by this publication indicates that the Deputy RDC had convened a mediation meeting on October 20, 2026, following an invitation letter dated October 6.
According to the correspondence, Flora attended the meeting but informed the office that her key witnesses were unavailable. She reportedly requested an adjournment to enable her to mobilise them.
The office granted the request and postponed the meeting for 14 days, setting the next session for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00am at the Deputy RDC’s office in Kihihi.
The letter requested the complainant to mobilise the relevant witnesses and family members, including local council leaders, the parish chief and other officials, to attend the meeting with documents relating to the disputed land.
The correspondence suggests that Rugaju’s office was engaging the parties and seeking relevant information as part of its intervention in the dispute.
However, the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest and the specific allegations that led to it were not detailed in the letter.
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY ABOUT RDCs?
In his commentary, Tindyebwa referred to Article 203(3) of the Constitution of Uganda and Section 71(1) of the Local Governments Act, arguing that RDCs have defined responsibilities that should guide their conduct and interventions.
He maintained that an RDC is not a court or a land tribunal and should not assume the role of an arbitrator in disputes involving family members.
Instead, he argued, district land disputes should be referred to the appropriate institutions, depending on their nature, while police and other relevant authorities may be involved where necessary.
Tindyebwa said RDCs should understand the limits of their mandates while ensuring that they are not intimidated or prevented from carrying out their legitimate responsibilities.
His remarks have brought renewed attention to the delicate balance between the authority of RDCs, the enforcement of the law and the need for government officials to respect established administrative procedures.
A QUESTION OF DIGNITY
RDCs and their deputies serve as representatives of the President in Uganda’s districts, with responsibilities that include monitoring government programmes, coordinating security-related matters and overseeing the implementation of government policies within their mandates.
Tindyebwa’s intervention raises a broader question: how should the government protect the dignity of its district representatives while ensuring that they remain accountable under the law?
While his recommendation that Rugaju consider resigning reflects his personal assessment of the incident, the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest remain central to the debate.
Further clarification from the parties involved would be necessary to establish the full sequence of events and the reasons behind the reported arrest.
For now, Tindyebwa has delivered his verdict on the controversy: Rugaju should consider trading the district administration office for a university lecture room rather than endure what he describes as public humiliation.
