Division Mayor Ronald Kasekende
MASAKA CITY – A bridge construction launch in Njumaga Cell, Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, turned chaotic on Friday after Masaka Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Ahmad Washaki and Nyendo-Mukungwe Division Mayor Ronald Kasekende engaged in a heated public confrontation over the source of funding for the project.
The incident occurred during the official launch of the construction of a bridge valued at approximately Shs270 million, which is expected to improve connectivity and ease transportation challenges for residents in the area.
Trouble began shortly after Kasekende, who was recently sworn in as Nyendo-Mukungwe Division Mayor on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, addressed residents gathered for the event.
In his remarks, Kasekende stated that the funds earmarked for the bridge project were generated from taxes paid by residents . He urged residents to continue paying taxes, arguing that their contributions directly support service delivery and development projects within their communities. He emphasized that it’s through such taxes that government has paid them back by committing funds to construct the local bridge.
His comments, however, did not sit well with RCC Washaki, who was the chief guest at the function.
Washaki abruptly rose from his seat and reportedly instructed local bloggers and videographers to stop recording Kasekende’s speech, accusing the mayor of misleading the public about the source of the project’s funding.
The RCC maintained that the funds had been secured through the intervention and goodwill of President Yoweri Museveni and the central government, insisting that residents deserved accurate information regarding the project’s financing.
The disagreement quickly escalated into a public power struggle between the two leaders.
Washaki argued that, as the President’s representative in Masaka City, he had the authority to stop Kasekende from addressing the gathering if he was disseminating false information. Kasekende, however, stood his ground, insisting that as the elected political head of the division where the project was being implemented, he had every right to explain its background and funding to residents.
Efforts by police officers and other officials to calm the situation yielded little success as Kasekende continued speaking and refused to surrender the microphone.
The standoff intensified when Washaki reportedly moved toward Kasekende in an attempt to take the microphone from him, prompting loud cheers from sections of residents who appeared to support the division mayor.
When he eventually addressed the gathering, Washaki reiterated that the bridge project was being funded by the government and urged residents to support the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), arguing that they continued to benefit from government-funded projects despite predominantly supporting opposition politicians.
The confrontation marks the second public clash between the two leaders in less than a month.
The previous incident occurred in Bugabira during the distribution of government-supplied hoes to residents. During that exercise, Washaki insisted that beneficiaries present National Identity Cards before receiving the agricultural tools.
Kasekende disagreed, arguing that all intended beneficiaries should receive the hoes regardless of whether they had identification documents with them at the time.
The dispute was eventually resolved by Masaka City Clerk Daniel Kaweesi, who appealed to both leaders to avoid public confrontations and allow the exercise to proceed smoothly. Kaweesi reportedly urged Washaki to remain calm while residents were registered and issued the hoes.
Washaki’s relationship with several political leaders in Masaka has remained strained in recent years.
Last year, when reports emerged that he had been transferred to Moroto as Resident District Commissioner, some city leaders reportedly welcomed the move. Masaka City Mayor Florence Namayanja is said to have organized a farewell celebration before the transfer was later reversed.
Since then, relations between the RCC and some local leaders have remained frosty, with several disagreements playing out in public.
Despite the recurring confrontations, Kasekende has maintained that he respects the office of the Resident City Commissioner. However, he argues that elected local leaders also deserve respect and recognition in the implementation and communication of government and local development projects.
Construction of the bridge is expected to commence soon, with the government set to invest approximately Shs270 million in the project.
