By BUIKWE, Uganda – The Minister for the Presidency, Ms. Milly Babalanda, has ordered the immediate recall of Buikwe Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Hawa Namugenyi. In a letter dated July 1, Ms. Babalanda directed Hajj Yunus Kakande, the Secretary in the Office of the President, to transfer Ms. Namugenyi to headquarters and place her on ‘katebe’ – a term for non-deployment – pending a detailed report on her conduct.
Ms. Namugenyi’s recall follows a controversial eviction on June 13, where she mobilized security personnel, including army and police officers, as well as self-proclaimed bailiffs, to demolish a house belonging to Simon Herbart Alideki. Despite a court injunction, Ms. Namugenyi proceeded with the eviction, prompting intervention from Ms. Diana Mutasingwa, the State Minister in the Office of the Vice-President.
“I am calling Minister Babalanda. What kind of nonsense is this? You people are sent to represent the President but instead you’re misrepresenting him. What makes it hard for you to wait for the court decision to implement the eviction? Who paid you?” Ms. Mutasingwa, who is also the Buikwe Woman MP, demanded during the confrontation.
Minister Babalanda noted that the “hot exchange” between the RDC and Ms. Mutasingwa had sparked significant public debate, discrediting the Office of the President. She instructed Hajj Kakande to produce a comprehensive report on the incident, which will be reviewed by the President for a final decision.
In the interim, the Deputy RDC of Buikwe has been directed to assume the duties of the RDC office. The recall of Ms. Namugenyi has been widely discussed, especially after residents from various Buikwe villages protested at the district headquarters on June 22, accusing her of soliciting bribes ranging from UGX 2 to 3 million to address their concerns.
The directive from Minister Babalanda underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining integrity and accountability among its presidential appointees, who are tasked with representing the President’s interests at the local government level.
