By Kawesi Jamada
In Sironko District, the recent appointments of Assistant Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) by the office of the President, headed by Hon Milly Babalanda, have stirred up controversy. Many within the NRM party are dismayed, alleging that the appointments favored NRM cadres, with little consultation with the party’s district leadership.
Of particular concern is the appointment process in Sironko District, where the Minister for Karamoja, Hon Nambozo Florence, allegedly rewarded her personal assistant, Wonambwa Allan, and her driver, Nabutewa Joshua, who also serves as a parish chief. This move has exacerbated tensions within the local NRM leadership, especially since alternative candidates proposed by the district NRM leadership, such as Guga Alex Nabende, Mudebo Isaac, Dison Balayo, and Gamisha Paul Mudoma, were overlooked.
The situation is further complicated by allegations that the minister’s actions are politically motivated, aimed at undermining the influence of Al Hajji Lumolo Mafabi Sulieman, a prominent figure in the NRM and the father of the minister’s strongest opposition. This perceived nepotism and disregard for longstanding party supporters like Hajji Suleiman Lumolo risk alienating NRM members and undermining mobilization efforts.
The people of sironko are crying foul as to why the party should be sacrificed because of political interest, if Hon Nambozo Florence’s driver has a position why can’t the asst RDCs position be given to other people?.
Why has the appointing authority refused to respect the criteria of cadre indentification in the NRM party.
Why do an independent candidate take decisions for the NRM leadership in sironko these are un answered questions and almost in the whole country the whole selection has been a mess and alot should be revised.
Incase someone has a position in local government why should he or she be again assigned another position with public service again. Hon Minister branded the proposed people to be liasing with FDC secretary Gen Nathan Nandala Mafabi yet everyone knows that she is her real ally.
Overall, the appointments of Asst RDCs have raised concerns about political patronage and favoritism, particularly in Sironko District NRM, where the party’s leadership feels marginalized and overlooked in favor of individuals with personal connections to those in power.
