By Sophan Nuwamanya
Kabale District LCV Chairperson Nelson Nshangabasheija is under fire from the District Council after failing to explain why he has retained the district’s old vehicle despite the government providing him with a new one more than a month ago.
Chairpersons and mayors from 11 districts were recently given new vehicles promised by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to help local government leaders monitor and supervise government programmes. In total, 176 chairpersons and mayors benefited last month, with all recipients required to hand over their old vehicles before receiving the new ones.
During a district council sitting held today at the Kabale District Council Hall, councillors—led by the Opposition Chief Whip for Kamuganguzi Sub-county, Peace Rutarimara Murungi; the councillor for Kahungye, Champion Baker Turyamureeba; the councillor for Northern Division, Tom Ahimbsibwe Kazemera; and the Opposition Chief Whip for Maziba, Moses Bikorwomuhangi demanded that Nshangabasheija explain how he acquired the new vehicle and why he had not yet surrendered the old one so it could continue serving district operations.
The councillors resolved that the chairperson must return the government vehicle by Monday.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Ronald Mutegyeki, said he had written to the chairperson asking him to hand over the old vehicle, but no action had been taken, a situation that further angered councillors.
When asked to respond, Nshangabasheija remained seated and declined to comment.
The Kabale District Speaker, Flavia Nyinakiiza Kanagizi, backed the councillors’ resolution requiring the chairperson to hand over the vehicle by Monday.
Efforts to get clarification from the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, were unsuccessful. He initially said he would respond after five minutes but did not do so.
In the same sitting, councillors led by Peace Rutarimara Murungi and Moses Bikorwomuhangi also raised concerns over what they described as ongoing tension and conflict between Chairperson Nshangabasheija and CAO Ronald Mutegyeki.
Last month, Nshangabasheija allegedly mobilized people early in the morning, without clear justification, who reportedly locked the CAO’s office while Mutegyeki was in Kampala on official duty. The chairperson is accused of intimidating the CAO, interfering with his work, undermining his authority, and influencing the operations of the District Contracts Committee, among other allegations.
In response, Mutegyeki described the incident as unfortunate, especially the closure of his office without lawful instructions.
However, Mutegyeki noted that the disagreement was later resolved following intervention by the district security committee.
