Kampala, (UG):- Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja has ‘aimed dig’ at the Minister for Presidency, Hon Milly Babalanda pinning her over what she termed as “irregular” and “unauthorized” transfers of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Resident City Commissioners (RCCs).
In a strongly-worded letter dated January 20, 2025, Nabbanja blasted Babalanda, reminding her that only President Yoweri Museveni has the constitutional mandate to appoint or transfer RDCs and RCCs.
“I find this irregular because the mandate to appoint and transfer RDCs and RCCs lies with H.E. The President as stipulated under Articles 99 and 203 of the Constitution of Uganda,” Nabbanja stated in the letter, a copy of which DailyExpress has seen.
Nabbanja’s hard-rock letter came after receiving rising concerns from RDCs, RCCs, and the general public over alleged biased and politically motivated reshuffles by the Minister for Presidency.
Reports, this publication was yet to confirm, indicated that some commissioners were being dropped or relocated ‘without presidential approval,’ triggering tensions among government officials.
Sources close to State House reveal that several affected RDCs petitioned the Prime Minister, claiming they were targeted for not aligning with certain political interests within Babalanda’s circles.
Nabbanja Draws the Line
In her letter, Nabbanja was clear: “Only H.E. the President has the mandate to appoint and transfer RDCs and RCCs, and you can only exercise this mandate on delegation by him.”
The letter, copied to President Museveni, all Cabinet Ministers, and the Head of the RDCs/RCCs Secretariat, is seen as a major warning shot to Babalanda, who has been frequently accused of sidelining some officials in favour of her loyalists.
Political analysts suggest that the move could spark a fresh power struggle within government circles, as tensions rise between the Prime Minister’s office and the Presidency as the country heads into a tense political season.
At the time of filing and publishing this story, Minister Babalanda was yet to publicly deny nor respond to Nabbanja’s directive, which she received two weeks ago.
But sources to the Presidency told this publication that she [Babalanda] could be forced to retract some of the transfers or risk a direct intervention from the President.
Send us your story or opinion on: [email protected]. You can also follow Daily Express on WhatsApp for all the latest news and updates.
