Bushenyi-Ishaka service-seeking residents stranded as public servants protest alleged assault

BUSHENYI - Hundreds of residents seeking services at Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipal Council were left stranded on April 28, 2026, after civil servants locked offices and staged a sit-down strike over alleged harassment and attacks by politicians.

The workers accused some political leaders of interfering with technical operations, intimidating staff, and frustrating the implementation of government programmes.

At the centre of the protest is a ward councillor, whom workers accuse of assaulting municipal staff during a recent trade order enforcement operation.

It is alleged that on 9th April 2026, a councillor drove his vehicle into an enforcement team, leaving three municipal workers critically injured.

Staff demand justice

Municipal workers say the councillor drove his vehicle toward enforcement officers during the incident, injuring three staff members.

“We are demanding justice for our staff who were attacked by the councillor,” said Shallon Bakirira, the municipal's human resource officer.

“He drove his car toward the staff, leaving three critically injured. We want respect for civil servants while they are executing their duties in the field. If there are concerns, leaders should channel them through the offices of the mayor or deputy mayor instead of confronting staff directly,” she added.

Bakirira warned that continued harassment could discourage technical officers from carrying out field operations.

Frustration over Police response

The workers also criticised police for what they described as delayed action against the councillor.

Ronald Atubangira Rwabutwagu, the Senior Community Development Officer, said the matter was reported to Bushenyi Police Station nearly a month ago but no arrest has been made.

“It has been about a month since the case was reported. The councillor only recorded a statement and left, yet this was a serious offence,” Rwabutwagu said.

Fear among technical staff

Byamukama Julius, the senior health inspector, said technical staff now fear for their safety while enforcing municipal regulations.

“The incident involving a political leader attacking staff on duty is very disturbing and demoralising,” Byamukama said.

“What hurts most is that no leader has openly condemned the attack. We fear the public may now think it is acceptable to fight enforcement officers. We are laying down our tools until action is taken,” he added.

Mediation efforts fail

Efforts to calm the situation on Tuesday afternoon were unsuccessful after the Town Clerk, Mr Robert Nuwamanya, asked workers to remain patient as he attended a District Security Committee meeting to present their concerns.

“I have heard your complaints. Let me first attend the security meeting and I will meet you later at midday,” Nuwamanya told the staff.

Bushenyi Police Station officer-in-charge Peter Azora also attempted to calm the workers and discourage them from escalating the protest.

Despite the appeals, municipal workers remained defiant and kept the municipal gates locked.

By Tuesday afternoon, the striking workers vowed not to resume work until the councillor is held accountable and the municipal political leadership formally condemns attacks against technical staff.