Kabale: District chairperson accused of stealing Irish potatoes says his hands are clean

The Kabale District LCV chairperson Patrick Besigye Keihwa has refuted all the corruption allegations against him by the district councilors, saying they are politically motivated.

According to Keihwa, some people who intend to contest with him in the next election paid some councilors to tarnish his image.

While speaking to the press on Monday afternoon at the district headquarters, the chairperson said he had all the evidence to defend himself against the allegations.

“I ask my fellow leaders to ask for evidence. Most councilors were used to fulfill missions of those that intend to contest with me. My hands are clean, I cannot sell a property of the district,” said Keihwa.

Last week, a section of Kabale district council councilors petitioned the district speaker Loy Zikampereza with twelve reasons as to why the district chairperson was incompetent and thus wanted him censured.

The councilors accused the chairperson among other reasons, of being corrupt, misusing of government property, soliciting bribes, selling of public land for personal gain and failure to implement council resolutions. He was also accused of stealing 15 bags of Irish potatoes seeds that were meant for the councilors.

However, chairperson Keihwa has compiled all the evidence against the twelve reasons, saying he will defend himself.

According to Keihwa, the ministry of local government has informed him of how it has received the councilors’’ petition and they will soon launch investigations.

The Kyankwanzi deputy resident district commissioner, Denis Nzeirwe has already showed intentions of contesting for the Kabale chairperson LC V seat and was always hobnobbing with the councilors who demanded Keihwa’s censure.

Last week while at a function in Maziba Sub County in Kabale district, he openly stated that he would run for the Kabale LCV seat and Keihwa was also present at the function.