Kabale Deputy RDC rejects transfer, says mafias behind it

The Kabale District Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Gad Ahimbisibwe Rugaaju has objected his transfer to Iganga district.

Rugaaju has served in Kabale as the Deputy RDC since October 2018 replacing Denis Nzeirwe who was transferred to Kyankwanzi district as the deputy RDC.

Since his appointment in Kabale, Rugaaju has been at loggerheads with his boss, Darius Nandiinda over the fight against corruption. The fight became public recently when Rugaaju halted construction works at
Kasheregyenyi Health Center III in Kamuganguzi Sub County citing shoddy work.

Watchdog Uganda understands that on June 7, 2019, Rugaaju received a phone call from a State House official only identified as Masagazi instructing him to travel to Kampala with immediate effect to pick a transfer letter. Masagazi explained to Rugaaju that he also received an order from permanent Secretary Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande.

Speaking to journalists at his office at Makanga hill Kabale municipality on Tuesday, Rugaaju said upon receiving his transfer letter, he traveled to the Permanent secretary’s office in Kampala who said they decided to transfer him to Iganga because of his good performance for the time he has been in Kabale and therefore they want him to also render such services to the Eastern Uganda district.

Rugaaju added that he was not convinced by the reason for the transfer as given by the Permanent secretary and therefore decided to petition the President for a more official communication directing his transfer while indicating clearer reasons.

The Deputy RDC said he was appointed by President Yoweri Museveni to Kabale and will only accept the transfer if he orders him to.

Rugaaju who described those behind his transfer as mafias also said that he is sure that the major reason for his pending transfer is because of standing firm on the truth by fighting against shoddy work on Kasheregyenyi Health Center III in Kamuganguzi Sub County.

When our reporter tried to contact the Senior Press Secretary to the President , Don Wanyama to confirm whether they have received Rugaaju’s petition, he could not connect with him after his known contacts could not pass through.