Chaos as Kabale LC5 Nshangabasheija locks CAO Mutegeki office over 'absenteeism', power struggles

KABALE - Shock and confusion engulfed Kabale district local government headquarters in Makanga, central division, on November 27, 2025, morning after LC5 chairperson Nelson Nshangabasheija locked the chief administrative officer (CAO) Ronald Mutegeki's office, sparking a dramatic standoff between political and technical leaders.

The tension escalated around 8:00am when a group of about 15 youth and several unidentified individuals stormed the district premises, blowing whistles and waving placards demanding the CAO’s removal.

Their messages accused him of corruption, hypocrisy, and chronic absenteeism.

District employees arriving for work were stunned, many describing the scene as “a morning movie” unfolding right at their offices.

Deputy CAO finds office locked

Deputy CAO Robert Mugabe said he was taken aback when he found the CAO’s office locked and plastered with posters ordering Mutegeki to leave Kabale.

He explained that although he was aware Mutegeki was away on official duty in Kampala, he expected the office secretary to be present.

Mugabe stressed that neither he nor the CAO had received any prior communication about grievances that could have triggered the incident. He insisted that administrative operations had been running normally.

Accusations of absenteeism and overstepping mandate

Speaking to journalists, Chairperson Nshangabasheija launched a series of accusations against Mutegeki, alleging incompetence, absenteeism, and attempts to usurp political authority.

He claimed the CAO sometimes reports to work only once a week—or disappears for up to two weeks—disrupting service delivery and weakening leadership across departments.

Nshangabasheija further accused Mutegeki of performing political functions such as calling and scheduling meetings, roles he said legally belong to the district chairperson. 

He also faulted the CAO for failing to induct a new Kabale district contracts committee, forcing the district to rely on the committee from neighbouring Rukiga after the previous team’s term expired.

Speaking to journalists, Chairperson Nshangabasheija launched a series of accusations against Mutegeki, alleging incompetence, absenteeism, and attempts to usurp political authority. (Credit: Ahimbisibwe Nelson)

More accusations 

Kyanamira sub-county councillor Joshua Musinguzi, a member of the health, education, and community-based services committee, echoed the accusations of absenteeism, poor leadership, and corruption.

He said the CAO’s irregular presence had undermined supervision and set a negative example for civil servants.

Musinguzi also alleged that some district properties were being leased or sold without the knowledge or approval of the district council. He cited the former district remand home, which the council had designated as a local revenue source through lorry parking fees.

The councillor further referenced a letter purportedly issued by the CAO warning civil servants that those who had overstayed in certain positions would be transferred by January.

Musinguzi claimed the directive was being used to intimidate staff and solicit bribes to retain their positions.

CAO fires back 

In a sharp rebuttal, Mutegeki dismissed all allegations, saying he would not respond to “hooligans” but only to legitimate leaders. He argued that the attacks stem from his refusal to authorise illegal payments or finance political activities.

Mutegeki, who has served in Kabale for five months, said he was working to fix what he termed widespread “shoddy work” in the district. He insisted the resistance he faces comes from individuals opposed to strict accountability and adherence to public finance laws.

“No funds can be released outside the approved budgeting and appropriation framework,” he emphasised.

Regarding the new contracts committee, Mutegeki confirmed receiving the letter from the Secretary to the Treasury but said the committee could not begin work immediately because the directive arrived mid–financial year, and funds had to be secured first.

Political–administrative rift widens

Nshangabasheija also referenced a letter dated 16 October 2025 in which Mutegeki—quoting the Local Government Act Cap 138 Section 16—scheduled District Executive Committee (DEC) meetings from 31 October 2025 to 26 June 2026 without consulting him.

He said such actions were unacceptable and warned that district leaders “would not get along” with the CAO unless he respected political boundaries.

The growing rift now threatens to paralyze service delivery in Kabale District as the political and technical wings dig deeper into their opposing positions.