Lwengo- Residents of Nakalinzi and Lwentamu
villages in Lwengo District had it rough on Monday after the district
chairman, Mr George Mutabaazi, caned them for reportedly refusing to
participate in voluntary community work commonly known as bulungi
bwansi.
Mr Mutabaazi, who was accompanied by police
officers, raided several homes and kiosks, beat up residents, and
directed them to take up their tools and clear bushes along feeder roads
in their areas.
Those caned were found in bars, while
others were found working in their gardens together with their children
of school-going age.
Motorcycles and bicycles found
near bars were also impounded by the chairperson, who accused their
owners of drinking very early in the morning.
“For the
last four days, we had announcements running on a village mobile public
address system and these people were clearly deliberately disobeying
our laws,” Mr Mutabaazi told Daily Monitor.
“Even the village chairpersons are to blame. They fear
talking to their people about doing community work or constructing
latrines and sending their children to school just because they want to
get votes,” he added.
Defiant leaders
“I want everybody to get a sense of ownership of the roads and all our wells and that it is our duty to keep them working. I don’t care if they don’t vote for me next time; what I want is work”.
“I want everybody to get a sense of ownership of the roads and all our wells and that it is our duty to keep them working. I don’t care if they don’t vote for me next time; what I want is work”.
Lwengo LC-V chairman Mutabazi must face the law
Sunday, 23 November 2014 18:57
If
the LC-V chairman of Lwengo district, Mr George Mutabazi, who likes to
turn leadership into rulership, belonged to the opposition, he would be
in police cells, pending prosecution for assault, criminal trespass and
other offences.
The National Resistance Movement would be calling for his resignation.
This would be the time when the kindred
spirit would like to prove that the opposition does not mean well for
the people and therefore should not be voted into offices.
This would be the time when they remind people that violence is the governance mode of the opposition.
Unfortunately, for the people of Lwengo,
who were beaten up and whose property was destroyed, that remedy of
chastising the errant chairman may not come soon. Mutabazi is fortunate
in that even when he was beating up people, the police was there to
protect him from the likely self-defence responses.
He beat up a pregnant woman, destroying
her tools of trade; beer bottles, among others. If Mutabazi can beat up a
pregnant woman in full glare of cameras, are you surprised that
husbands abuse many more women in the same way? I would not like to
imagine what happens in his home! He accused the woman of opening her
bar during working hours.
This woman, too, was working. Selling
beer and other drinks is her employment, therefore she was working and
not idling, as Mr Mutabazi wanted us to imagine. This woman was
subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment if not punishment before
children and other onlookers. Another person, probably a herdsman, who
was employed to look after someone’s cows, was also beaten and chased
from his job of tending the cows.
Mutabazi claims there is a bye-law that
was passed which compels people to participate in community service
which includes working on roads. I have not looked at the bye-law, but I
am sure the punishment prescribed for defaulting does not include
giving powers to the chairman to beat up people.
Corporal punishment could not have been
prescribed because it is outlawed. So, Mr Mutabazi arrogated himself the
duty of being a judge in his own cause!
I have also learnt that Mutabazi is no
stranger to violence. Several reports about him threatening violence
have been reported at police in the district but matters are never
pushed to their logical conclusions. Violence is like second nature to
him.
I have seen on the social media some
people apparently in total disregard of the law, have been praising him.
Others have been ridiculous as to suggest that Mutabazi should be sent
to other district to beat into line those disobedient citizens! We have a
problem.
Mutabazi’s could be the telltale signs
that actually all is not well with our democratisation. For the last 27
years of apparent peace and democracy, we have still failed to give a
chance to the rule of law. Leaders who, during the campaigns, promise to
become servants of the people instead become the masters of the
governed.
The relationship even becomes parasitic.
For instance, Mutabazi thinks he is doing the people of Lwengo a favour
by chasing them out of their garden to go and work on the roads. The
people, through their councillor, cannot ask the district leaders to
account for the money, which is dispatched from the centre to districts
to work on the roads.
Mutabazi and many of his ilk, now
present a new challenge to the human rights defenders. If the state is
not interested (as it appears, since police was there to protect him as
if to endorse his unlawful acts), the human rights activists need to
take up the matter.
Mutabazi, and many others, need to know
that this country has laws and they ought to be respected. Being the
chairman of the district does make him the law of the district. He
needs to respect the rights of the women and the people he ‘rules’. If
Mutabazi is legally taken on successfully, it would set a good precedent
for the leaders of his type not think that being in power gives them an
edge over others to be above the law.
And isn’t it ironic that Mutabazi purported into enforce the law through unlawful means? We need to fight impunity.Lwengo Chairman Mutabazi Vows Not To Apologise For Whipping Locals
, Nov 25, 2014
LC-V chairman of Lwengo district, George Mutabazi has vowed never to apologise to anybody.
While talking to media Monday, Mutabazi says he only apologizes when he is in wrong.
“But I haven’t committed any wrong. For that lady who I whipped, she was the one in the wrong. Four days prior to the cleaning day, I met and warned her against selling local brew (tonto) in the mornings and also told her about the cleaning day. However, I was angered finding her selling local brew as early as 8am,” said Mutabazi.
He adds that whereas the lady was selling brew at such an early our, her compound were all littered with rubbish yet she was well aware that it was a cleaning day.
He further says that most of the locals support his actions but it is him to be opponents in the 2016 elections that are exaggerating the matter.
He, however, sends a message to them.
“If you thought I was whipping unserious people because I am not to contest in 2016 you are in a surprise! I am coming back and I wouldn’t want to be the only candidate. I want others to come on board so they can see how difficult it is to work for people.”
Mutabazi shot to fame recently when he was shown on several TV stations appearing to whip locals for refusal to participate in communal voluntary cleaning exercise.
The act sparked off a hot public debate with some people in support while others condemn the act.
What do you have to say about Mutabazi’s actions of whipping locals who refuse to participate in voluntary activities?
Lwengo Chairperson Refuses to Record Statement on Assault Case
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=61294#ixzz3JoC40DLi
19 Feb 2014, 13:11
Edward Bindhe
UHRC-Masaka Boss Willy Agirembabazi is also investigating Lwengo Boss George Mutabaazi for assault.
In short
Mutabaazi says he doesn’t have time to waste going to police to follow up stupid cases.
Mutabaazi says he doesn’t have time to waste going to police to follow up stupid cases.
George Mutabaazi, the Lwengo LC5 Chairperson
has vowed not to record a statement for assaulting Bruce Tushabe
Nzabanita, the Coordinator of Volunteer Uganda, a non- government
organization operating in his district. On January 26th Mutabaazi
attacked Tushabe and assaulted him accusing him of attempting to
frustrate his campaign to eliminate grass thatched houses in the
district.
Trouble started after more than 60 residents went to consult Tushabe on whether or not to join a cooperative started by Mutabaazi to help them secure iron sheets. It came after Mutabaazi convened a meeting in in Mbirizi-Lwengo town council and asked residents to subscribe to the cooperative so as to secure soft loans to buy iron sheets. He asked the residents to pay between 50,000 and 100,000 shillings for opening an account before they qualify for the loan.
As a result, some residents became suspicious and decided to consult Tushabe on the matter in his office. However, this didn’t go down well Mutabaazi. He stormed Tushabe’s office and started assaulting him leading to a fist fight. A medical report indicates that Tushabe sustained bruises on his head, mouth and back during the assault.
Tushabe opened an assault case against Mutabaazi at Lwengo police station and filed a complaint at Uganda Human Rights Commission–Masaka branch accusing the LC V chairperson of gross violation of his rights. He also accused Mutabaazi of beating up five other people for allegedly refusing to attend community meetings. Mutabaazi admits assaulting Tushabe on the fateful day.
He has however vowed not to record a statement with Police or Uganda Human Rights Commission. Mutabaazi boasts that deserved what came his way because he was allegedly sabotaging a campaign aimed at promoting prosperity in the district. Mutabaazi says he doesn’t have time to waste going to police to follow up stupid cases.
He has also warned Uganda Human Right Commission to stop meddling in the politics of his district and threatened to mobilize residents to kick out Willy Agirembabazi, the Uganda Human Rights Commission Regional Officer. He claims that he wasted a lot of money consulting residents on how best to support them to get out of poverty but he is surprised that some people have started sabotaging his efforts.
Noah Sserunjoji, the Greater Masaka Police Spokesperson says Mutabaazi is not above the law. He says Mutabaazi will be arrested and arraigned in court once investigations are complete. Sserunjoji has encouraged more victims of Mutabaazi’s assault to file their complaints.
Trouble started after more than 60 residents went to consult Tushabe on whether or not to join a cooperative started by Mutabaazi to help them secure iron sheets. It came after Mutabaazi convened a meeting in in Mbirizi-Lwengo town council and asked residents to subscribe to the cooperative so as to secure soft loans to buy iron sheets. He asked the residents to pay between 50,000 and 100,000 shillings for opening an account before they qualify for the loan.
As a result, some residents became suspicious and decided to consult Tushabe on the matter in his office. However, this didn’t go down well Mutabaazi. He stormed Tushabe’s office and started assaulting him leading to a fist fight. A medical report indicates that Tushabe sustained bruises on his head, mouth and back during the assault.
Tushabe opened an assault case against Mutabaazi at Lwengo police station and filed a complaint at Uganda Human Rights Commission–Masaka branch accusing the LC V chairperson of gross violation of his rights. He also accused Mutabaazi of beating up five other people for allegedly refusing to attend community meetings. Mutabaazi admits assaulting Tushabe on the fateful day.
He has however vowed not to record a statement with Police or Uganda Human Rights Commission. Mutabaazi boasts that deserved what came his way because he was allegedly sabotaging a campaign aimed at promoting prosperity in the district. Mutabaazi says he doesn’t have time to waste going to police to follow up stupid cases.
He has also warned Uganda Human Right Commission to stop meddling in the politics of his district and threatened to mobilize residents to kick out Willy Agirembabazi, the Uganda Human Rights Commission Regional Officer. He claims that he wasted a lot of money consulting residents on how best to support them to get out of poverty but he is surprised that some people have started sabotaging his efforts.
Noah Sserunjoji, the Greater Masaka Police Spokesperson says Mutabaazi is not above the law. He says Mutabaazi will be arrested and arraigned in court once investigations are complete. Sserunjoji has encouraged more victims of Mutabaazi’s assault to file their complaints.
Mr
Michael Katabalwa, a 60-year-old resident of Nakalinzi village,
criticised Mr Mutabaazi’s action. “It humiliates people and violates
their rights. Instead, he should just talk to them. He will be voted
out,” Mr Katabalwa said.
However, several residents applauded the chairperson for restoring “sanity and orderliness” in the villages.Police Probe Lwengo District Boss for Caning Residents
Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga
Following his harsh actions on his voters this Monday in the process of forcing them to do community work, Police have promised to probe Lwengo District boss, Lwengo District chairperson Godfrey MutabaaziMutabaazi was filmed by various local TV channels canning children and adults in Lwengo district forcing them from their homes and bars to join a general community cleaning exercise that was taking place.
Human rights activists under various organizations yesterday came out and blamed Mutabaazi and the Uganda Police Force for failing to protect Ugandans from violation of their rights.
Uganda Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga today came up and condemned Mutabaazi’s violent actions and assured the public that police was going to do whatever was possible to stop such acts from happening again.
“The Chairman should have sensitized the residents on the benefits of community work before rushing to use force. He is not above the law and therefore, we have opened a file at Lwengo Police Station under file number GEF 6-2014 to probe Mutabazi and the police officers who were involved in this human rights violating operation,” said Enanga.
He also said police had started giving out medical forms to the victims of the assault to establish the harm on the residents to get enough evidence to pin him.
Lwengo Chairperson Refuses to Record Statement on Assault Case
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=61294#ixzz3JoC40DLi
19 Feb 2014, 13:11 0 Comments 418 Views Lwengo,Uganda Misc Updates
Edward Bindhe
UHRC-Masaka Boss Willy Agirembabazi is also investigating Lwengo Boss George Mutabaazi for assault.
In short
Mutabaazi says he doesn’t have time to waste going to police to follow up stupid cases.
Mutabaazi says he doesn’t have time to waste going to police to follow up stupid cases.
George Mutabaazi, the Lwengo LC5 Chairperson
has vowed not to record a statement for assaulting Bruce Tushabe
Nzabanita, the Coordinator of Volunteer Uganda, a non- government
organization operating in his district. On January 26th Mutabaazi
attacked Tushabe and assaulted him accusing him of attempting to
frustrate his campaign to eliminate grass thatched houses in the
district.
Trouble started after more than 60 residents went to consult Tushabe on whether or not to join a cooperative started by Mutabaazi to help them secure iron sheets. It came after Mutabaazi convened a meeting in in Mbirizi-Lwengo town council and asked residents to subscribe to the cooperative so as to secure soft loans to buy iron sheets. He asked the residents to pay between 50,000 and 100,000 shillings for opening an account before they qualify for the loan.
As a result, some residents became suspicious and decided to consult Tushabe on the matter in his office. However, this didn’t go down well Mutabaazi. He stormed Tushabe’s office and started assaulting him leading to a fist fight. A medical report indicates that Tushabe sustained bruises on his head, mouth and back during the assault.
Tushabe opened an assault case against Mutabaazi at Lwengo police station and filed a complaint at Uganda Human Rights Commission–Masaka branch accusing the LC V chairperson of gross violation of his rights. He also accused Mutabaazi of beating up five other people for allegedly refusing to attend community meetings. Mutabaazi admits assaulting Tushabe on the fateful day.
He has however vowed not to record a statement with Police or Uganda Human Rights Commission. Mutabaazi boasts that deserved what came his way because he was allegedly sabotaging a campaign aimed at promoting prosperity in the district. Mutabaazi says he doesn’t have time to waste going to police to follow up stupid cases.
He has also warned Uganda Human Right Commission to stop meddling in the politics of his district and threatened to mobilize residents to kick out Willy Agirembabazi, the Uganda Human Rights Commission Regional Officer. He claims that he wasted a lot of money consulting residents on how best to support them to get out of poverty but he is surprised that some people have started sabotaging his efforts.
Noah Sserunjoji, the Greater Masaka Police Spokesperson says Mutabaazi is not above the law. He says Mutabaazi will be arrested and arraigned in court once investigations are complete. Sserunjoji has encouraged more victims of Mutabaazi’s assault to file their complaints.
Trouble started after more than 60 residents went to consult Tushabe on whether or not to join a cooperative started by Mutabaazi to help them secure iron sheets. It came after Mutabaazi convened a meeting in in Mbirizi-Lwengo town council and asked residents to subscribe to the cooperative so as to secure soft loans to buy iron sheets. He asked the residents to pay between 50,000 and 100,000 shillings for opening an account before they qualify for the loan.
As a result, some residents became suspicious and decided to consult Tushabe on the matter in his office. However, this didn’t go down well Mutabaazi. He stormed Tushabe’s office and started assaulting him leading to a fist fight. A medical report indicates that Tushabe sustained bruises on his head, mouth and back during the assault.
Tushabe opened an assault case against Mutabaazi at Lwengo police station and filed a complaint at Uganda Human Rights Commission–Masaka branch accusing the LC V chairperson of gross violation of his rights. He also accused Mutabaazi of beating up five other people for allegedly refusing to attend community meetings. Mutabaazi admits assaulting Tushabe on the fateful day.
He has however vowed not to record a statement with Police or Uganda Human Rights Commission. Mutabaazi boasts that deserved what came his way because he was allegedly sabotaging a campaign aimed at promoting prosperity in the district. Mutabaazi says he doesn’t have time to waste going to police to follow up stupid cases.
He has also warned Uganda Human Right Commission to stop meddling in the politics of his district and threatened to mobilize residents to kick out Willy Agirembabazi, the Uganda Human Rights Commission Regional Officer. He claims that he wasted a lot of money consulting residents on how best to support them to get out of poverty but he is surprised that some people have started sabotaging his efforts.
Noah Sserunjoji, the Greater Masaka Police Spokesperson says Mutabaazi is not above the law. He says Mutabaazi will be arrested and arraigned in court once investigations are complete. Sserunjoji has encouraged more victims of Mutabaazi’s assault to file their complaints.
NRM Party Campaigns in Lwengo Turn Bloody
17 Aug 2010, 11:35 The
NRM party campaigns in the newly created district of Lwengo claimed its first
fatality, when a political aspirant threatened to pull a trigger at another.
Moses Musisi, the chairperson of national resistance movement in Kaganda parish in Kkingo Sub County, was attacked and beaten by George Mutabazi, the Lwengo district chairperson.
Musisi told police today that Mutabazi in the company of his bodyguard attacked and beat him up for accusing him of blackmailing him in favor of his contender Eddy Ssansa.
He adds that a bitter verbal exchange ensued, and Mutabazi in a fit of rage, pounced on him beat him up and also threatened to shot at him if he doesn't surrender to his camp on that day.
Nandugga Shakirah, witnessed the fracas as it developed and says that Mutabazi grabbed Musisi by the neck and punched him to the ground.
Musisi sustained injuries in the face and hands, but managed to flee for fear of further attacks. He has reported the assault case to Masaka central police station political desk.
Noah Sserunjogi, the southern region police spokesperson, says police are hunting for Mutabazi George to explain the source of the gun he is using to terrorize the residents.
Mutabazi's phone was switched off and could not be reached for comment.
In Bukomansimbi, the LC 3 aspirant on the NRM ticket is nursing wounds after he was allegedly attacked and beaten by a group of unknown gunmen.
Rapheal Kawooya, says that the gunmen warned him that he risks death if he does not quit the race.
The case has been brought to the attention of the Bukomansimbi police station.
Moses Musisi, the chairperson of national resistance movement in Kaganda parish in Kkingo Sub County, was attacked and beaten by George Mutabazi, the Lwengo district chairperson.
Musisi told police today that Mutabazi in the company of his bodyguard attacked and beat him up for accusing him of blackmailing him in favor of his contender Eddy Ssansa.
He adds that a bitter verbal exchange ensued, and Mutabazi in a fit of rage, pounced on him beat him up and also threatened to shot at him if he doesn't surrender to his camp on that day.
Nandugga Shakirah, witnessed the fracas as it developed and says that Mutabazi grabbed Musisi by the neck and punched him to the ground.
Musisi sustained injuries in the face and hands, but managed to flee for fear of further attacks. He has reported the assault case to Masaka central police station political desk.
Noah Sserunjogi, the southern region police spokesperson, says police are hunting for Mutabazi George to explain the source of the gun he is using to terrorize the residents.
Mutabazi's phone was switched off and could not be reached for comment.
In Bukomansimbi, the LC 3 aspirant on the NRM ticket is nursing wounds after he was allegedly attacked and beaten by a group of unknown gunmen.
Rapheal Kawooya, says that the gunmen warned him that he risks death if he does not quit the race.
The case has been brought to the attention of the Bukomansimbi police station.
