NELSON K
Domestic violence cases are reportedly on the rise in Rwanja West parish, Rurehe Subcounty in Mitooma District, with community leaders pointing to family breakdowns, financial secrecy, and alleged negligence by local leaders as contributing factors.
According to reports, women in some families are allegedly securing loans from financial institutions and associations without the knowledge or consent of their husbands. This has led to frustrations among men, especially when family properties are pledged as collateral without mutual agreement.
Mr. Barigye Augustine, the LC2 chairperson of Rwanja East, confirmed that while youth challenges such as alcoholism and drug abuse persist, an increasing number of domestic conflicts are linked to secretive financial dealings by women. He accused two LC1 chairpersons—Mr. Silagi Begumisa of Ntungamo Cell and Mr. Paul Mwebesa of Nyakinengo Cell—of enabling the situation by endorsing loan applications without properly verifying household consent.
In response, Mr. Silagi Begumisa defended his actions, arguing that women presented both their National IDs and signatures allegedly belonging to their spouses. He acknowledged a lapse in judgment but insisted that the responsibility to verify ownership of collateral lies with loan officers, not local council leaders.
Meanwhile, Mr. Paul Mwebesa strongly denied any involvement in fueling domestic conflicts and dismissed the accusations as baseless.
Rurehe Subcounty LC3 Chairperson, Ms. Evelyn Ahimbisibwe, said she had not received formal reports of increased domestic violence but linked the tensions to possible political influence during the festive season. She pledged to conduct thorough investigations into the affected families alongside fellow local leaders to understand the root cause and chart a way forward.
