Masaka — The Masaka City National Resistance Movement (NRM) Chairperson, Rogers Buregeya, has appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene over what he describes as the political harassment of party members who did not support State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere during the elections.
Addressing journalists at the NRM offices in Kizungu, Buregeya alleged that political intimidation has created an atmosphere of fear in Masaka City, making it difficult for institutions to carry out their constitutional responsibilities independently.
He claimed that NRM officials were unable to secure bail for Godfrey Ntale, the party chairperson for Kalagala Ward, who is currently facing bribery-related charges. According to Buregeya, Ntale’s continued detention is politically motivated rather than based on credible evidence.
Buregeya further alleged that Minister Nameere who also City Woman Member of Parliament is targeting party members who opposed her in the NRM primaries, arguing that Ntale’s arrest is part of a wider campaign to punish her perceived political opponents.
Questioning the strength of the prosecution’s case, Buregeya said the individual who allegedly gave one million shillings as bribe has not presented evidence to support the claim. He argued that, in the absence of sufficient evidence, there is no justification for Ntale’s continued detention.
He called on President Museveni, who also serves as the National Chairperson of the NRM, to intervene and ensure that justice is administered fairly and that party members are not subjected to political persecution.
Meanwhile, Masaka City Councillor Rosette Nansubuga also accused Minister Nameere of interfering in the administration of Masaka City, alleging that her actions have disrupted service delivery.
Nansubuga claimed that Nameere has prevented John Kyasanku from effectively serving as Masaka City Clerk because he is allegedly not among the minister’s preferred officials.
According to Nansubuga, Kyasanku was appointed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, following the retirement of former City Clerk Daniel Kaweesi.
She said the ongoing leadership wrangles have negatively affected city operations, noting that several casual workers have yet to receive their salaries because there is no accounting officer authorized to approve their payments.
Nansubuga also called on Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya to explain why, in her view, Minister Nameere is allegedly influencing decisions on which officials should serve in Masaka City.
Responding to the allegations, Minister Justine Nameere dismissed them as false and politically motivated, saying they are intended to tarnish her reputation.
She said the claims should not be used to influence President Museveni, noting that the President makes decisions only after conducting thorough investigations into matters brought to his attention.
Nameere maintained that the accusations are part of an effort to frustrate her campaign against corruption within local governments.
She vowed to continue carrying out her duties, insisting that no amount of intimidation would deter her from exposing corrupt officials.
