Irony at Masaka Anti-Corruption Rally: Minister Nameere Faces Public Debt Claim Amid Emyooga Crackdown
A dramatic turn of events at an anti-corruption rally in Masaka City has sparked national debate, after a local farmer publicly accused State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere of owing over 150 million shillings for campaign seedlings, even as she ordered the arrest of a local official over misappropriated government funds.
The “Expose the Corrupt” event on Tuesday descended into chaos when coffee farmer Cissy Nanyange confronted Minister Nameere, alleging that the minister had taken coffee seedlings worth Shs156 million during the general elections but had failed to pay for them.
“You are here pretending to fight corruption, yet you have failed to pay me,” Nanyange shouted before the stunned gathering, demanding the minister settle the outstanding debt instead of portraying herself as a champion against graft.
The confrontation occurred during a tour by Nameere and Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara, who had urged residents to expose corruption in parish development programs. Earlier in the day, Nameere had directed police to detain Misali SACCO chairperson Mr. Ntale over allegations of embezzling 42 million UGX from the Emyooga program, reportedly ignoring a release call from State Minister Haruna Kasolo.
Supporters praised Nameere’s firmness on the arrest, while critics pointed to the irony of a minister fighting corruption while facing personal financial allegations. “This is not just about the money,” one resident said during the meeting. “It is about integrity. If leaders expect accountability from district officials, they must first demonstrate it in their own dealings”.
The coffee seedling dispute is not new. According to social media users familiar with Masaka politics, the matter has been known locally since January. Four coffee nursery operators had previously dragged Nameere to police, accusing her of fraud after she allegedly declined to pay them for seedlings supplied during the NRM primaries campaign.
Nanyange claimed that Nameere personally visited her farm before placing the order for coffee seedlings, which were later distributed during election campaigns. “She came to my farm and ordered coffee seedlings worth Shs156 million. She used them during her campaigns, but up to now she has never paid me,” Nanyange said.
Following the confrontation, Nameere and Nanyange met at the district office for mediation chaired by Minister Balaam Barugahara. Reports indicated that President Museveni had pledged to clear the outstanding debts. However, governance analysts have questioned why the President’s intervention was necessary for what should have been a straightforward obligation.
The controversy has placed Nameere in an uncomfortable position because her ministry is responsible for promoting transparency, financial discipline and accountability across local governments. “The public naturally expects ministers responsible for oversight and accountability to set the highest standards,” said one governance analyst.
Videos circulating on social media captured the charged atmosphere as security personnel held back the emotional farmer attempting to press her case directly before the ministers. At one point, Nameere appeared uncomfortable as she gestured to her security team, signaling them not to aggressively remove the woman despite the charged atmosphere.
The dramatic encounter has become one of the most discussed political moments on Ugandan social media, with commentators questioning whether public officials should be held to the same standards they demand of others. Political commentator Jim Spire Ssentongo suggested the incident had undermined the anti-corruption campaign: “Now every thief embarrassed earlier is smiling”.
Journalist Solomon Serwanjja Wins Village Chair by One Vote
In a separate development, veteran investigative journalist Solomon Serwanjja, known for his BBC award-winning work on governance and health, was elected LC1 chairperson for Bamutakudde Village in Mukono District by a razor-thin margin of just one vote.
Running independently, Serwanjja secured 106 votes, narrowly defeating National Unity Platform candidate Lule Badru Ssozi Kirwana, who polled 105 votes in the tightly contested election. The election followed the death of the former LC1 chairperson, Peter Ssentamu.
Voting was briefly disrupted after some residents whose names appeared on the national voters’ register were missing from the village register. The presiding officer ruled that only voters whose names appeared on the official village register were eligible to participate, with police intervening to restore order before voting resumed.
Speaking after his victory, Serwanjja said he contested for the village’s top leadership position because he wanted to contribute to improving the community where he has lived for the past 10 years. “I know the challenges affecting this village because they affect me too. The blasting by stone quarry companies affects all of us. Our houses have developed cracks, and we have challenges accessing water,” he said.
Serwanjja pledged to closely monitor the implementation of government programs to ensure residents benefit from them. “We have Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, but no one in this village has received that money. It disappears at the parish level. As an investigative journalist, I have the capacity to follow up on such programmes. This is not a job; it is a service,” he said.
Fellow journalists celebrated his win online, with one calling him one of the most educated LC1 chairpersons. Serwanjja, formerly with NBS and UBC, pledged to personally pay allowances for members of his Local Council committee, arguing that village leaders who dedicate significant time to serving their communities deserve compensation.
“I come from a rich village, and I will personally pay my committee members because leaders should not expect people who do the donkey work and spend an entire month in the office to serve without pay,” he said.
His opponent, Badru Ssozi Lule Kirwana, rejected the outcome, alleging several irregularities during the election, claiming that additional voters were included on the village register on the morning of polling, contrary to Electoral Commission guidelines.
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