Local leaders storm out of Otafiire’s meeting

Jan 10, 2008

A meeting convened by the local government minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, with the Ruhinda county leaders on Thursday, ended in disagreement.

By Chris Ahimbisibwe

A meeting convened by the local government minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, with the Ruhinda county leaders on Thursday, ended in disagreement.

The leaders stormed out of the meeting held at Otafiire’s home in Kashenshero sub-county, accusing him of undermining and overlooking them.

The meeting was attended by the district councillors, the LC3 chairpersons, the county NRM leaders and the sub-county chiefs.

The misunderstandings started when the leaders asked Otafiire, also the area MP, to explain the issue of granting the county district status and the splitting up of Bushenyi district into several districts.

The Kanyabwanga sub-county councillor, Benon Karyaija, said: “He barred us from discussing the matter and this annoyed the members.

“He should stop calling us to his meetings because he does not want to listen to our views,” said a source who attended the meeting.

They claimed that Otafiire had been calling constituents at his home for meetings without giving them the agendas.

“Every time he calls a gathering at his home, there is no agenda, instead he shouts at us,” said another leader.

Karyaija said they resolved that another constituency be created from Ruhinda county.

The issue of splitting Bushenyi district has left MPs from the district divided. Otafiire has on several occasions vowed that Bushenyi would be split only when he ceases to be a minister.

Ministers Richard Nduhura and Tarsis Kabwegyere are also against the dividing of the district, while MPs Elioda Tumwesigye, Deus Bikwasizehi, Gaude Tindamanyire and minister Ephraim Kamuntu are campaigning for the split of the district.

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