The Coordinator of Kigezi Masters of Ceremonies and Panelists Association, Sheikh Kassim Kamugisha has watered down allegations that the Shs100 million Presidential funds given to the association were mismanaged.
The association received the money last year in September through its official bank account.
However, after the association received and disbursed the money, one Rogers Kabanda complained against Sheikh Kamugisha, saying that he mismanaged the funds. He spread the allegations through posts on several social media platforms.
However, during an interview with this online news website, Sheikh Kamugisha clarified that Kabanda’s allegations are false and that they should be treated with all the contempt they deserve.
“Kabanda is not a member of the association, so he complained as who? From our records , the person who has been claiming to be a beneficiary and therefore tarnishing my name is not a member by subscription and not by affiliation to be a beneficiary of the revolving fund,” Sheikh Kamugisha said.
“It was politically motivated. The author of that document is a Personal Assistant to my political opponent [Andrew Aja Baryayanga] in last year’s NRM primaries for Kabale Municipality Parliamentary seat,” he said.
Sheikh Kamugisha further noted that the association loaned the money to 43 of its members.
“Under A.5 of the Association, membership is by subscription and all subscribed members are beneficiaries. While under the same article , non affiliate members can be members and beneficiaries after application to the Association and approval by the general Assembly,” he said.
Sheikh Kamugisha also revealed that the telephone number circulating false hoods belongs to kabanda who is also known to be a hired social media blogger whose work is malice, black mail and tarnish people’s names and was at one time on the list of the then CMI for impersonating the operatives of Intelligence body to extort traders at katuna border.
“I challenge him to come out with evidence of him being a Master of Ceremony or a panelist on any TV or Radio station in Uganda. I equally challenge him and his accomplices to come out with evidence that he is a member of the Association by Affiliation or subscription.The office of the RDC kabale has records of both affiliated members and members by subscription, Can it confirm that such a name was vetted and did not benefit?” He said.
“And for other allegations in his article which he has been spreading under the pseudo name “True leader”, I challenge him to come out and give evidence in competent courts of laws of Uganda.”
He added that kabanda is a known political mercenary plus other of his accomplices who have for a long time been paid by rival political camps , driven by sectarian politics of Kigezi to tarnish names of many people including himself [Kamugisha] having contested in NRM primaries.
“The same camp(s) are worried that with empowerment we shall become their threat in the future in Kabale municipality politically. From an established principle of law, he who alleges proves. I therefore challenge the malicious propagandist to come out openly and challenge Kigezi Masters of ceremonies and Panelists Association in courts of laws,prove his allegations and stop hiding behind politics of Kabale municipality,”
He can also file a formal complaint to the Police, Inspector General of Government (IGG) or the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
On the other hand, Sheikh Kassim assured that members were ready to pay back the money before the deadline of 30th October, 2026.
According to a senior official at State House, they received a complaint from some parties who claim to be part of the association which prompted them to assign the Kabale District RDC to investigate the matter.
“In his investigation, RDC, Maj. Godfrey Katamba found out that Kabanda is not a member of the association and he has all the records of the association members. Even at the State House, we have copies of the application forms and bank details of all members,” the senior official said.
“This Presidential fund is not a token of appreciation from the President, rather it’s a revolving fund which must be paid back after one year with an interest of 6 percent per annum. All the 18 associations signed a legal document with the State House,” he added.
He added that State House does not operate on Social Media, in case Kabanda has a complaint he should use the right channels.
“The association has the mandate to vet who should receive the money. And not all MCs were supposed to get it because the money was not enough to accommodate all of them. Those who want to benefit, should join the association, pay for registration and apply for the funds, when the first beneficiaries pay back, they will also get. More so, when the President injects more funds, the better.”
On his part, Maj. Katamba confirmed that Kabanda is not a member of the association.
“He is the man who has been behind the malicious posts. He is not a member of the association. All those who benefited are members of the association and I have their details,” Maj. Katamba added.
