Kabale District Council has passed a resolution demanding a formal investigation into the conduct of former Chief Administrative Officer-CAO John Asiimwe.
Asiimwe who was abruptly transferred this week under unknown circumstances is facing allegations of abuse of office, corruption, harassment, and intimidation of district staff.
The motion, which was presented without prior notice, was moved under Rules 22(1) and 28(1) of the Standard Rules of Procedure for Local Government Councils, amended 2019.
It was tabled by Verah Tuyizere Tumuhekyi, the female councilor representing Northern and Central Divisions, and seconded by Annet Kabagambe, the councilor for Buhara Sub-county.
In her submission, Tumuhekyi called for an urgent, independent investigation into a range of actions allegedly committed by Asiimwe. These include unlawful interdictions of staff, intimidation, and failure to implement lawful resolutions passed by the council.
She further alleged that after receiving a transfer letter, Asiimwe unlawfully interdicted two district staff members and that three were arrested and others are currently out on police bond under unclear circumstances.
Tumuhekyi also urged the council to summon the former CAO and the Kabale District LC5 Chairperson Nelson Nshangabasheija to formally respond to the allegations. She demanded that they submit written explanations to the council within seven days, particularly concerning the non-implementation of council resolutions and the contents of an audio recording allegedly implicating them.
The motion also called upon the council to engage the Inspectorate of Government-IGG, the Ministry of Public Service, and other relevant accountability agencies to take up the matter for deeper inquiry and appropriate disciplinary action if necessary.
Tumuhekyi urged the council to establish protective mechanisms for staff who may have been victims of harassment or unfair treatment.
She emphasized the importance of providing access to grievance-handling mechanisms as outlined in the Public Service Regulations and ensuring protections under the Whistleblower Protection Act, 2010.
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Presiding over the session, the Speaker of the Kabale District Council, Flavia Kanagizi Nyinakiiza, directed that the matter be referred to the Office of the Kabale Resident District Commissioner for investigation. She also stressed the importance of ensuring a fair hearing for all parties involved.
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However, Kabale Resident District Commissioner Godfrey Nyakahuma expressed hesitation over his office’s involvement in the matter. He explained that one of the interdicted staff members, Patience Aharina Twiine, has already taken legal action against the district, making the issue sub judice.
Nyakahuma also warned against the politicization of the matter, cautioning against efforts to drag his office and the police into what he termed as personal wars aimed at tarnishing reputations.
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