Deputy Mbarara City Northern Division Resident City Commissioner, Robert Kanusu, has decided to suspend the fundraising initiative organized by Mbarara city traders with the goal of acquiring a fire truck. The campaign, named “Enkoni Y’nyine Eka,” was established in August by Mbarara City Traders Association (MBACITA) members.
This move was prompted by a significant fire incident on Maj Victor Bwana road, resulting in extensive damage to timber and related products valued at a considerable amount. The traders’ objective was to collect over 148 million Shillings in 90 days to purchase a firefighting truck, aiming to enhance their ability to respond to fire emergencies promptly and reduce losses.
Over the past year, Mbarara City experienced three separate fire outbreaks, leading to the destruction of two schools and numerous timber stalls. The suspension of the fundraising campaign was initiated following concerns raised by traders and some MBACITA executive members regarding the Association Chairperson, Simon Sezi Mwijuka’s lack of accountability for the raised funds.
Musa Barugahare, the Publicity Secretary of the Association, pointed out that Mwijuka had removed certain executive members from a transparency and accountability WhatsApp group when they inquired about the status of the collected funds. Provia Tubenawe, the women’s representative on the executive committee, questioned the need for opening a new bank account in Stanbic Bank when the association already had an existing account with the same bank.
Upon suspending the fundraising drive, Kanusu instructed the Mbarara City Police Commander to initiate an investigation into the entire fundraising process. This investigation would encompass the amount of funds collected, their sources, and their current location. He cautioned that if any fraudulent activities were uncovered, Mwijuka would face legal consequences. Kanusu also requested Mwijuka to distance his office from the fundraising campaign.
Kanusu stressed that the use of his office, contacts on the organizing committee, and appearances on various promotional materials without his consent were considered both criminal and malicious. Mwijuka expressed his regret for involving the Resident City Commissioner – RCC’s office, stating that it was done without any malicious intent. He pledged to remove the office’s attachment. When asked about the amount raised and its current location, Mwijuka requested some time to gather and document the information.
