Controversy about Rukungiri municipality

July 22, 2010

Chairman,

Rukungiri District Council

Dear Mr. Chairman

Controversy about Rukungiri municipality

As you know, I have complained to the President through the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament about the irregularities surrounding the upgrading of Rukungiri town to a municipality. I have also sent to you two correspondences on this subject. I have received a response from the Leader of the Opposition. My complaints which still stand include the following:

First, for Rukungiri unlike other towns the Minister of Local Government who has responsibility for towns and municipalities did not issue a notice in advance that Rukungiri town was being considered for upgrade to municipal status. Accordingly, there were no consultations whatsoever between district council representatives and their constituents especially those that are going to be affected directly.

Second, you, as chairman, convened an emergency session of the District Council when you knew that the people who would have sounded the alarm were attending a function in Kagunga sub-county which according to our culture you should have attended.

Third, the resolution to upgrade Rukungiri to a municipality was passed on Friday afternoon and the resolution was approved by Parliament the following Monday raising questions about the urgency of this approval.

Fourth, other cases for upgrading townships to municipality status were presented to Parliament by the Minister of Local Government. In the case of Rukungiri municipality, the presentation was made by Rujumbura Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Major General (rtd) Jim Muhwezi.

Fifth, upgrading a town to municipality does not necessarily require area expansion.

Sixth, when area expansion is involved, it should cover all areas surrounding the town measuring from the center of town to four kilometers away. In the case of Rukungiri municipality, Buyanja sub-county where you come from was not included, Nyakagyeme sub-county where Rujumbura MP comes from was not included, Buhunga sub-county where a former minister comes from was not included. The Council under your chairmanship chose Kagunga sub-county – the whole sub-county – for incorporation into the municipality because it does not have strong political representation.

Seventh, Kagunga sub-county is occupied mostly by a group of indigenous people known by the term of abuse of Bairu (slaves) who are impoverished and largely functionally illiterate. Accordingly, they are economically and politically powerless and voiceless.

Eighth, following the upgrading of Rukungiri town to municipal status, residents of Kagunga sub-county, inter alia, have complained about lack of consultation, ignorance about the new boundaries and what it means (in positive and negative terms) to be incorporated into a municipality. No one has responded to their concerns.

Ninth, the abrupt incorporation of the entire Kagunga sub-county (Kagunga name has disappeared from Uganda maps) which has been occupied by indigenous Bairu for some 3000 years will have very serious adverse cultural and historical consequences. A gradual approach would have allowed time to adjust to the natural spread of towns.

Tenth and finally, as the matter is not closed yet, I appeal to you as Chairman of Rukungiri District Council to do all you can to right these irregularities. The people who elected you and your council colleagues are waiting for an answer.

Sincerely,

Eric Kashambuzi

CC: Minister of Local government