Lukwago hands back police bodyguards

By Juliet Waiswa & Hannington Nkalubo

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has returned two of his bodyguards who have been serving him for the last two years.

During a press conference held at his resident in Wakaliga on Rubaga road on Monday Lukwago said he is constrained and cannot handle the maintenance of the two police officers out of his small savings.

“My office has not been receiving any remuneration for the last two month and I cannot use my own savings to run a public office. I am constrained and I have decided to take a drastic measure. From today onwards I have taken a painful decision. I have sent away two of my body guards,” Lukwago told the press.

Since his impeachment Lukwago’s office has been surrounded by police officers and close to eight of his workers who include two bodyguards, two administrators, two drivers office two attendants have been locked out without pay.

He said the bodyguards who are supposed to handle all security matters around him have since that time not had a vehicle to transport them from Nsambya barracks to his home, and not received any remuneration.

He explained that he has been using his personal vehicle to transport them to his Wakaliga home and back after duty. The Pick Up double cabin they were using was withdrawn from him.

“I have been improvising transport for the officers, using bodabodas and my personal vehicle which has now broken down. I will now stay on my own I don’t have a gun,” he emphasized.

When contacted on phone, police spokesperson Judith Nabakoba explained that it is government responsibility to handle the affairs of the police officers who were guarding Lukwago.

She however said that if Lukwago needs the guards in future he will have them. “It is okay if he has officially handed them back to police, but when he needs them we shall give them back to him,” she said.

Accompanied by his duty Sulieman Kidandala, Kawempe mayor Mubarak Munyagwa councilor Allan Sewanyana Makindye, Lukwago also said despite government’s commitment to have dialogue with him on matters affecting the city, no formal communication has been sent to him.

He said; “The leader of opposition Nandala Mafibi and the Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi made a statement in parliament. I sent my lawyers but no fruits have yielded as yet,” Lukwago said.

He raised concern on other issues like the authority performance review, quarterly reports and authority meetings which he said will be tackled next year.

On January 6 a Stakeholders meeting will be held to forge a way of handling affairs of KCCA.