KABALE: Minister Bahati Orders Police and UPDF to Foil PLU Sports Event in Ndorwa West

Former Ndorwa West Mp Aspirant Simon Agaba in Argument with O.C Ryakarimira Police at Katwaro Playground in Ndorwa West County on Sunday 23rd June 2024

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Summary:

This action followed a declaration by Patrick Twesigye, the LC.1 Chairperson of Nyakitokoro cell, Kacereere ward in Ryakarimira Town Council, that he had not been informed about Agaba’s PLU event, rendering it unlawful and “not permitted” to continue.
Twesigye arrived at the venue wearing a yellow shirt bearing the names and portraits of Minister Bahati and President Yoweri Museveni.

KABALE: On Sunday 23rd June 2024, the Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives (Industry), David Bahati, ordered police and the UPDF in Kabale District to foil a sports event organized by former Ndorwa West MP aspirant Simon Agaba under the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) brand.

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Agaba, who recently launched an annual event named the Ndorwa West MK Football Tournament, had planned to distribute medals to participants during a large event at Katwaro playground in Ryakarimira Town Council, Kabale District. These medals were replacements for the ones reportedly stolen by thugs on the final day of the tournament, May 26, 2024.

However, the Officer in Charge of Ryakarimira Police Post, accompanied by UPDF officers armed with guns and sticks, descended onto the football pitch and ordered the players and supporters to vacate the premises immediately.

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This action followed a declaration by Patrick Twesigye, the LC.1 Chairperson of Nyakitokoro cell, Kacereere ward in Ryakarimira Town Council, that he had not been informed about Agaba’s PLU event, rendering it unlawful and “not permitted” to continue. Twesigye arrived at the venue wearing a yellow shirt bearing the names and portraits of Minister Bahati and President Yoweri Museveni.

Amidst the ensuing scuffle, a group of suspected thugs uprooted the goalposts, while Agaba’s team engaged police, UPDF, and other authorities in a heated dialogue. During the argument, Agaba expressed his frustration, noting that the event had been cleared by the Kabale District Police Commander and the Principal Assistant Town Clerk of Ryakarimira Town Council.

CUE IN……AGABA AND TWESIGYE……..RR//

The LC.1 Chairman and the O.C. of Ryakarimira Town Council insisted there was no written documentation to support Agaba’s claims, a stance confirmed by Kabale District Police Commander, SP Joseph Bakaleke. In a phone interview, SP Bakaleke stated that he had advised the organizers to postpone the event and inform the relevant authorities about the new date for security reasons.

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CUE IN DPC BAKALEKE……ON STOPPING THE MATCH……ENG//

However, some locals, including Sadam Babwekyeka and Clement Tukundane, blamed the chaos on LC.1 Chairman Twesigye, accusing him of sparking the fracas after allegedly receiving a sum of Shs.300,000 from Minister Bahati.

CUE IN LOCALS…..ON MIN.BAHATI……RR//

Football player Derrick Ekinamushabire from Butanda Subcounty claimed he saw Bahati hand over the money to Twesigye while coming from a fundraising ceremony in Kahungye Subcounty, alleging the funds were meant to bribe one group of players to withdraw from the match.

CUE IN EKINAMUSHABIRE….ON BAHATI……RR//

This media house could not verify the accusations against Minister Bahati, but our reporter found the Ndorwa West legislator at Katwaro playground, where the PLU event was being held. Bahati made a brief stop to address the people at the venue.

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As his cars started off, Simon Agaba arrived with a team wearing white shirts and caps with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and PLU inscriptions.

Bahati lowered his car window and said, “ogwe arikunuza omukoro kusha,” literally translated as “That one is only spicing up the goings-on.” Chaos erupted about 15 minutes after his departure.

Attempts to contact Minister Bahati, who is also the NRM Chairperson for Kabale District, were unsuccessful as his known phone numbers were unreachable at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Agaba was eventually allowed to distribute the medals, brand new footballs, and additional jerseys to participants of the Ndorwa West MK Football Tournament 2024. Security officers permitted him to address about 70 youths, all players and their coaches, while the rest of the crowd was ordered to leave the playground.