EDITOR
Shock and confusion gripped Kabale District Local Government Headquarters in Makanga, Central Division, on Thursday morning after LC5 Chairperson Nelson Nshangabasheija locked the office of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Ronald Mutegeki.
The incident unfolded at around 8:00 AM when a group of about 15 youth and other unidentified individuals stormed the district premises, blowing whistles and carrying placards demanding the immediate removal of the CAO. The placards accused Mutegeki of corruption, hypocrisy, and chronic absenteeism.
District staff arriving for work were taken aback, with many watching from a distance as the dramatic scenes played out. Some described it as “a morning movie” at the district headquarters.
Deputy CAO Robert Mugabe said he was equally stunned to find the CAO’s office locked and plastered with posters ordering him to leave Kabale. Mugabe explained that he had gone to sign the attendance book, as is routine, but found the door shut. Although he was aware that Mutegeki was on official duty in Kampala, he expected the office secretary to be present.
Mugabe added that neither he nor the CAO had been informed of any grievances prior to the incident, insisting that the administrative team had been functioning normally.
Speaking to the media, LC5 Chairperson Nshangabasheija accused Mutegeki of incompetence and persistent absenteeism, claiming that the CAO sometimes reports to office only once a week or even disappears for two weeks. He said the alleged behavior has crippled service delivery and created leadership gaps in the district.
Nshangabasheija further accused the CAO of overstepping his administrative role by calling and scheduling meetings—duties he said are strictly within the mandate of the political leadership. He also blamed him for failing to induct the new district contracts committee, forcing Kabale to rely on a committee from neighboring Rukiga District after its own committee’s term expired.
A letter dated September 9, 2025, from the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, confirmed the approved members of the new Kabale District Contracts Committee as:Henry Tumwesigye, District Natural Resources Officer, Honest Tumuheirwe Rwomushana, Senior Entomologist, Mildred Tusimirwe, Senior Commercial Officer, and Jude Tusiime, Senior Assistant Engineering Officer.
Kyanamira Sub-County District Councillor Joshua Musinguzi, a member of the Health, Education, and Community-Based Services Committee, echoed the allegations of absenteeism, corruption, and poor leadership. He claimed the CAO’s irregular presence in office has weakened staff supervision and set a negative example for civil servants.
However, CAO Ronald Mutegeki strongly dismissed the accusations, saying he deals with legitimate leaders, not “hooligans.” He claimed that those attacking him are angered by his refusal to approve unlawful payments or fund political activities.
Mutegeki, who has served five months in Kabale, said he is focused on addressing what he described as widespread “shoddy work” within district structures. According to him, resistance is coming from individuals opposed to heightened accountability and compliance with public finance regulations.
He emphasized that no funds can be released outside the approved budget and appropriation framework.
On the contracts committee issue, Mutegeki confirmed receiving the Treasury letter but explained that the committee could only start work once funds become available, noting that the directive arrived mid–financial year.
