Residents of Gomba District are expressing deep concern following the appointment of Hawa Namugenyi Ndege, the former Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Buikwe, as their new Commissioner.
Ndege, who has recently been entangled in a series of land-grabbing controversies, has garnered a reputation for corruption and unethical practices.
The news of her transfer to Gomba has ignited fears among locals, who worry that her arrival might aggravate existing issues within their community, particularly concerning land ownership and governance.
The apprehension stems from Ndege’s controversial tenure in Buikwe, where she was repeatedly accused of leveraging her position to facilitate illegal land deals, often at the expense of vulnerable communities.
Despite these allegations, her recent reassignment, part of a broader reshuffle announced by President Yoweri Museveni, has left many in Gomba uneasy.
Residents and local leaders alike are questioning the decision, fearing that her history of corruption could bring similar troubles to their district.
“If someone is found guilty of corruption and engaging in dubious land deals, then why reshuffle the same person? The idea of transferring problems from one district to another should stop,” said one of the residents.
This situation has sparked a broader discussion about the implications of such appointments and the potential risks they pose to communities like Gomba.
One of the troubling incidents took place in Njeru Municipality, but it was stopped, thanks to the intervention of State Minister Diana Nankunda Mutansingwa, who managed to put a halt to the scheme.
Ndege had ordered an unlawful eviction of residents without obtaining a court order, without the consent of the district security committee, and without providing any proof that the affected parties had been properly notified.
In another controversial case, she was involved in grabbing about 17 acres of land in Ngogwe sub-county, which belonged to the children of the late Alexander Kiwombojjo.
Working with a group of brokers from Wakiso, Ndege directed that the sugar cane on half of this land be sprayed, causing it to dry up.
After repeated complaints from residents, especially those holding bibanja (land plots), who claimed that Ndege was behind illegal evictions, intimidation, and threats that were making their lives difficult, she was recalled to the secretariat.
In the recent reshuffle, Ndege has been reassigned as the full RDC of Gomba District, with Michael Kibwika taking over her position in Buikwe. The changes have brought relief to residents in Buikwe, but Gomba residents have yet to voice their reactions.
Gomba District, located in the Central Region, has been grappling with numerous land disputes, particularly involving bibanja owners who are often threatened with eviction by landlords or subjected to exorbitant land fees (busuulu).
These tensions make the district especially vulnerable to any leadership that doesn’t prioritize the protection of these landowners.
During her time in Buikwe, Ndege clashed with bibanja owners who claimed to have more than three acres of land.
She thought that they should not be allowed to grow cash crops on their plots unless they had explicit permission from the landlords.
Instead, she believed that plot owners should only cultivate quick-growing food crops like cassava, potatoes, and beans.
Simon Lwanga, a resident of Lugazi Municipality, expressed concern for Gomba residents, warning that unless they install surveillance cameras everywhere, they might find themselves evicted without warning.
He questioned why the Office of the President continues to reappoint individuals like Ndege, who have been repeatedly accused of misconduct, despite the availability of many qualified and ethical candidates in Uganda.
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Before her recall to the secretariat, Ndege had told Buikwe residents that she is from a family of warfighters (Mwana wamulwanyi) and cannot simply be removed by the President.
She also boasted about holding a master’s degree, which she claimed is rare among RDCs, especially those selected from the Muslim community.
Despite their relief at her departure, the Buikwe community extends their good wishes to the residents of Gomba District, who are now under her leadership.
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