IS KYEYUNE A VICTIM OF INTRIGUE?
WHEN he drove from Wakiso to Busabala to explain to the demonstrators the future of Busabala Road, he did not know what awaited him. As soon as they saw him, the marauding crowd pounced on him. “Eat and feel the dust like us,†the residents shouted as
BY JOSHUA KATO
WHEN he drove from Wakiso to Busabala to explain to the demonstrators the future of Busabala Road, he did not know what awaited him. As soon as they saw him, the marauding crowd pounced on him. “Eat and feel the dust like us,†the residents shouted as they sprayed the Wakiso LC5 chairman, Ian Kyeyune, with dust.
Accuses others
Kyeyune blames his humiliation on the central government, the Police and his political rivals.
“The Government took over this road aware of its urgency, but has failed to work on it,†he says.
The road, which is a major route from, among other places, Kazi landing site and Busabala fishing village, was taken over by the central government on July 1.
But Kyeyune is more angry with the Police for ‘failing’ to protect him.
“Why did the Police use tear gas after I had been forced to walk to and from Kalidubbi?†he asks.
He believes his political rivals were behind this move: “Who mobilised all those people to come to the road at such a short notice?â€
Stakeholders speak
Sam Luswata, a resident of Busabala, angrily says: “We are choked by dust daily. We are suffering from chest pains and endless coughs.â€
The LC3 chairperson of Makindye Sabagabo, Rosemary Kyambadde, says residents were right to demonstrate. “Residents swallow dust like like it is their daily food,†she says.
At one time, truck drivers who use the road from the shores of the lake refused to pay a council levy, until the road was improved.
Kyeyune has had frosty relations with the area MP Issa Kikungwe, over the same road. However, Kikungwe denies planning the attacks.
“I was not party because it can happen to anyone, including the President,†he says.
Three years ago, Kyeyune had a poor working relationship with the Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya. The two had a hot contest for the post of NRM district chairman for Wakiso district, which Bukenya won. However, their relations have improved of late.
Kyeyune under fire
His situation is not helped by the fact that Wakiso has many opposition supporters. Areas like Namasuba, Makindye Sabagabo, Nabweru, Bulenga etc produced most of the opposition councillors in Kyeyune’s council.
No wonder some are grabbing this opportunity to censure Kyeyune. “What happened shows that he is no longer fit to head the district and must leave office,†says Ssentamu Ssewandagi, district councillor for Nabweru.
Ssewandagi accuses Kyeyune of only working in constituencies represented by NRM councillors. The district council is comprised of 17 opposition members compared to 20 NRM councillors.
There is hope
The Minister of Local Government, Adolf Mwesige, says the ministry is discussing the 2009/10 budget which also caters for Busabala road, adding that for now, water bowzers will be used to reduce the dust.
WHEN he drove from Wakiso to Busabala to explain to the demonstrators the future of Busabala Road, he did not know what awaited him. As soon as they saw him, the marauding crowd pounced on him. “Eat and feel the dust like us,†the residents shouted as they sprayed the Wakiso LC5 chairman, Ian Kyeyune, with dust.
Accuses others
Kyeyune blames his humiliation on the central government, the Police and his political rivals.
“The Government took over this road aware of its urgency, but has failed to work on it,†he says.
The road, which is a major route from, among other places, Kazi landing site and Busabala fishing village, was taken over by the central government on July 1.
But Kyeyune is more angry with the Police for ‘failing’ to protect him.
“Why did the Police use tear gas after I had been forced to walk to and from Kalidubbi?†he asks.
He believes his political rivals were behind this move: “Who mobilised all those people to come to the road at such a short notice?â€
Stakeholders speak
Sam Luswata, a resident of Busabala, angrily says: “We are choked by dust daily. We are suffering from chest pains and endless coughs.â€
The LC3 chairperson of Makindye Sabagabo, Rosemary Kyambadde, says residents were right to demonstrate. “Residents swallow dust like like it is their daily food,†she says.
At one time, truck drivers who use the road from the shores of the lake refused to pay a council levy, until the road was improved.
Kyeyune has had frosty relations with the area MP Issa Kikungwe, over the same road. However, Kikungwe denies planning the attacks.
“I was not party because it can happen to anyone, including the President,†he says.
Three years ago, Kyeyune had a poor working relationship with the Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya. The two had a hot contest for the post of NRM district chairman for Wakiso district, which Bukenya won. However, their relations have improved of late.
Kyeyune under fire
His situation is not helped by the fact that Wakiso has many opposition supporters. Areas like Namasuba, Makindye Sabagabo, Nabweru, Bulenga etc produced most of the opposition councillors in Kyeyune’s council.
No wonder some are grabbing this opportunity to censure Kyeyune. “What happened shows that he is no longer fit to head the district and must leave office,†says Ssentamu Ssewandagi, district councillor for Nabweru.
Ssewandagi accuses Kyeyune of only working in constituencies represented by NRM councillors. The district council is comprised of 17 opposition members compared to 20 NRM councillors.
There is hope
The Minister of Local Government, Adolf Mwesige, says the ministry is discussing the 2009/10 budget which also caters for Busabala road, adding that for now, water bowzers will be used to reduce the dust.