The Bufumbira South Member of Parliament, Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda has dismissed as rumors allegations that he bankrolled allowances for the Kisoro district Council that sat on Monday this week.
Hon Seruganda, who says he was disappointed by the comments made by one councilor, Nambajimana Alex for Central Division, notes that he had no business with what took place in the Council that day.
On Monday, July 26, the Kisoro district council sat to adopt the Shillings 305 million Covid-19 Preparedness and Response budget, approve the proposal to offer Kibaya land in Rukundo Town Council to Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) for the establishment of an Industrial Park, approving the nominations for the district LC5 Vice-chairperson and Secretary for Health among others.
The Council also approved Nyiraguhirwa Pamellah as the Secretary for Finance but rejected for the second time Nambajimana Alex for the position of District Vice-Chairperson. His colleague, John Mfitumumiza, who represents Nyarusiza Sub County, also faced the knife for the Health Secretary post.
Accusations
After the council sitting, Nambajimana and his colleague John Mfitumukiza had for the second time been rejected by the coucillors after a secret ballot vote. Nambajimana alleged that ‘some politicians with ill motives had bribed the councilors to reject him alongside Mfitumukiza John, who had been renominated for the position of Secretary for Health.
He faulted Hon Seruganda and his Bufumbira North counterpart, John Kamala Nizeyimana for plotting chaos in the council by using money.
“I blame the CAO for trying to sell the district to Kamala because he allowed the council to sit well knowing that he did not have money for our allowances, but he knew he would use Kamala’s money. Above that, Kamala came to the council and told us that the money to disrupt the council was contributed by MPs.” Nambajimana alleged.
He says that after the council, the politicians convened somewhere and celebrated their refusal for the second time.
“I have information that Hon Seruganda is one of the people who contributed on that money to disrupt the council sitting. We condemn that because it won’t develop our district.” Nambajimana retorted.
Kamala enters, controversy kicks off
After the council had finished voting, the Bufumbira North MP, John Kamala Nizeyimana entered the council. He was shortly given the platform to address the council as an ex-official, despite protests from Nambajimana who sought to give a point of order.
Majority of the councilors broke into applause when he announced that he was delivering Shs 4 million contributed by MPs as ‘top up’ on their allowances. Hon Kamala did not name the MPs who contributed the money.
Later, Voice of Muhabura understood that the district, through the CAO’s office, had not facilitated the council’s allowances. The CAO, Mr. Musa Onzu Ismail told our reporter that the sitting was prepared in haste, and no money was readily available.
The speaker, Amos Hakizimana was not open to our interview. He shrugged off our attempts to get a comment from him by saying “my job as speaker ends in the councilor. I have no comment on that idle talk.”
Seruganda distances self from the money
Now, speaking to Voice of Muhabura in a phone interview, Hon Seruganda distanced himself from the allegations made against him, saying he has no interest in the District Council business.
He denied contributing to the money as announced in the council by Hon Kamala. “I have seen the allegations on Social media and also heard it over the news of the councilor. What was said that I bribed to fail some people, I ask our people to ignore such idle talk targeted for the 2026 politics. Don’t be bothered at all.” Said Seruganda.
The MP who is serving his first term notes that he has always campaigned against divisive leaders and instead encourages cohesion.
“I don’t involve myself in stuff that doesn’t concern me. My target is always development and this can only be attained with unity.” He adds.
Hon Seruganda called the allegations mere political blackmail, as opportunistic individuals already book their space in the 2026 politics by tainting his name. He however adds that people should let him perform his duties as an MP, saying the Covid-19 pandemic has already left big damage.
“Those are people with their own intentions. I didn’t follow up on what transpired in the council that day because I was taken up by my duties. I did not hear what exactly happened there, so I cannot explain rumours.
What I can tell such people is that this is time to work, not for politicking. We were all affected by the pandemic, and if we focus on idle talk, when shall we work?”
Kamala remains tight-lipped, Bizimana to petition
Surprisingly, Hon Kamala has since decided to remain tightlipped on who contributed the money.
“What I did is delivering the money. Where it came from is no one’s business. Did anyone refuse it? I am ready to receive it if they want to return it. I always give handouts when I want. Are they the first ones I have given?”
This week, the LC5 Chairperson Abel Bizimana expressed the same thoughts with Nambajimana.
“I received the allowance money, but I don’t know where it came from. However, I had my doubts when I saw the council being organized in haste.”
He even threatened to petition the Attorney General’s office, claiming that invisible hands were determining council sittings and their fate.
The money issue explained
Voice of Muhabura has information that each of the 46 councillors went home with at least Shs 300,000 in allowances. This means that their total allowances added up to Shs 14 million. Hon Kamala announced Shs 4 million in the council, calling it a ‘top up’ for the Councillors who are also hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
One councilor, who demanded anonymity in order to speak freely, told us that usually, councilors receive Shs 220,000 as allowances for every council sitting.
“On the Shs 4 million given by Hon Kamala, each councilor got 80,000 only.” He explained.
“I am not sure where the extra 10 million came from since the CAO said that the district had no money to facilitate the sitting. However, even in the previous term, the speaker would look for means of ensuring that we get allowances when we sit. The speaker would get money from somewhere and then pay it back once the CAO gets the money.
Another councilor, Kazimili Wilson who represents Chahi Sub County said Kamala’s money was not a bribe.
“This is not the first time the district has failed to facilitate a council sitting. But since the sittings are quarterly, we cannot stop because of mere allowances. The speaker can improvise and make the money available to help councilors who come from far.
I cannot call Kamala’s money bribery. Bribery for what now? He came after the voting was done. At least if it was before voting, one would think otherwise.”
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