Sironko, (UG):- A political brewing storm has emerged in eastern Uganda’s Sironko District after one Wonambwa Allan, the Personal Assistant and Nabutewa Joshua, the Driver of newly appointed Minister of State for Karamoja and District Woman MP, Hon Nambozo Florence appeared among the appointments of Assistant Resident District and Resident City Commissioners (RDC/RCCs).
Last week, the office of the President, headed by Hon Milly Babalanda, stirred up controversy with the new appointments which according to the appointments letter are for the two new staff positions created within the RDC/RCC’s office, a move which left many within the NRM party dismayed, alleging that the appointments favoured NRM cadres, with little consultation with the party’s district leadership.
According to the top NRM bigwigs in Sironko, the move by Minister Babalanda has exacerbated tensions within the local party leadership, especially since alternative candidates proposed by the district NRM leadership, such as Guga Alex Nabende, Mudebo Isaac, Dison Balayo, and Gamisha Paul Mudoma, were overlooked.
The situation is further complicated by allegations that the minister’s actions are politically motivated, aimed at undermining the influence of Al Hajji Lumolo Mafabi Sulieman, a prominent figure in the NRM and the father of the minister’s strongest opposition.
This, according to the leaders, is perceived as nepotism and disregard for longstanding party supporters like Hajji Suleiman Lumolo risk alienating NRM members and undermining mobilization efforts.
The people of Sironko are crying foul as to why the party should be sacrificed because of political interest, if Hon Nambozo Florence’s driver has a position why can’t the assistant RDCs position be given to other people?
Why has the appointing authority refused to respect the criteria of cadre identification in the NRM party?
Why does an independent candidate take decisions for the NRM leadership in Sironko these are unanswered questions and almost in the whole country the whole selection has been a mess and a lot should be revised.
In case someone has a position in local government why should he or she be again assigned another position with public service again.
Hon Minister branded the proposed people to be liasing with FDC secretary Gen Nathan Nandala Mafabi yet everyone knows that she is her real ally.
Overall, the appointments of Asst RDCs have raised concerns about political patronage and favoritism, particularly in Sironko District NRM, where the party’s leadership feels marginalized and overlooked in favour of individuals with personal connections to those in power.
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