Local leaders 'baptise' Gen. Kahinda Otafiire

Jul 22, 2017

As the minister rose to address the leaders, one of the chairpersons walked to the podium, saying they wanted to listen to President Museveni only.

Justice and Constitutional affairs Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has survived attack by the angry district local government leaders who blocked the minister from addressing them on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni.

It all started when one of the local leeaders rose up, saying they wanted to hear from the President only. Photos by Juliet Kasirye

Otafiire had been asked by the president to represent him at the conference organised by the Uganda Local government Association (ULGA) for district leaders including LC5, LC3 chairpersons, district speakers and sub county chairpersons at the Mandela National Stadium Namboole, in Wakiso district.

A scuffle ensued and the Police came in to intervene


"I want to welcome the Minister so that you tell him what you want to tell the President," George Mutaabazi, the president ULGA also LC5 chairperson Lwengo district said.

However as the minister rose from his seat, one of the chairpersons John Musira, the LC5 chairperson Manfwa district walked to the podium, saying the only person they wanted to listen to was President Museveni and not representatives.

In the process, Musira signaled to his colleagues in the audience, who joined him at the podium to block Otafiire from addressing them.

In the scuffle, some people's suits were torn


"Let us cease fire, allow the minister to address us, please let us behave and listen to the minister," Mutabazi pleaded with the already rowdy leaders.

Mutabazi's plea to the already charged leaders fell on deaf ears, as the local leaders demanded that the president makes his way to Namboole and address them.

Police arrested some of the leaders, but they were later released

"It pains us that the president meets everybody apart from local leaders, we are not going to allow any body apart from the President to address us," John Musira noted, before the minister was whisked away by his body guards.

Gen. Otafiire later walked away without addressing them

Laughing sheepishly, Otafiire agreed to move under tight security; however, as he exited from the chaotic meeting, one of the angry leaders, raised his water bottle, and splashed water on the minister's black suit making it wet.

The police intervened and arrested some of the leaders who included; One Osinya, the LC5 chairperson Namayingo district, and Tororo Lubanga sub county chairperson Solomon Oketcho who are believed to have sprinkled water on the minister.  The two were later released after the minister had left Namboole. 

The over 800 district leaders had gathered in Namboole, to brief the President on some of the challenges they face as district leaders. 

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