Mbale, (UG): A list of newly appointed Resident District Commissioners making rounds on social media over the previous week has enlisted mixed reactions among the bamasaaba community.
Full of sarcasm, Hon Seth Wabwire a very strong mobilizer of the ruling NRM party under his NRM mobilizers forum thanked the president for “rewarding Busoga overwhelmingly” and another subscriber interjected saying overwhelmingly over what when they gave Museveni very few votes in the 2021 General elections.
While Eric Sakwa, former RDC – Jinja who is now completing his Master’s Degree in Environmental Science wonders why the Bamasaaba who contributed more to the NRM liberation have been neglected in terms of appointments.
The list of RDCs indicated about 52 chosen from Busoga region who mainly include both full RDCs and some as deputies. Statistically, this reflects about 35 to 40% of RDC appointments coming from Busoga alone, although the said list can’t be independently verified since it has no known signature.
“An appointment of resident district commissioners should be shared equitably across the region so that all regions benefit, once this is not adhered to you create a breeding ground for many scenarios,” Victor Chemuswa, a former RDC for Kabale, and a close ally of President Museveni advises
Currently, the Bugisu region has the likes of Mr Ahmadi Washaki deployed in Kumi, RDC James Shilaku in Karamoja, RDC Masaba in Dokolo, RDC George William Wopuwa (Moroto), Annet Wabule formerly in Sironko and Nasike in Mbale.
RDCs like Wamoto Nabende, Kigai Moses, Robert Webale, Pamela Watuwa, Watenyeri, Sakwa etc were dropped and are now on frolics of their own. Former RDC Wamoto Nbende is a regular on UBC Radio, while the rest are in either farming or other activities and feeling the brunt of ordinary life.
While RDC Nangoli, formerly in Mbale, then an arch enemy of FDC eventually when he was dropped by the president, he secured for himself some retainer under Hon Nandala in Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) where he is incharge of sports and other related activities as life must continue.
Just like Busoga now, there was a time when Bugisu commanded in number of RDCs when Hon Beatrice Wabudeya was minister for the presidency.
The Bamasaaba community through Inzuyamasaaba want their sons and daughters who have supported the NRM for a long want to be part of the NRM government fully not only in terms of voting patterns but sharing the national cake equitably.
The Umukhuka III of Bamasaaba, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma says he will take our tears to the State House soonest in an upcoming meeting with the president.
RDCs are the megaphones and microphones of the state on the ground where sensitive state instructions are routed through. By policy and appointment, they act as mobilizers and hence engage in mobilizing people to embrace government programs in their localities including guiding on matters of security and acting as advisors for the president and local government in their jurisdictions.
The writer is a researcher from Mbale and the spokesperson of Inzuyamasaba
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