By Andrew Irumba
Fort Portal: A top minister in Tooro king Omukama Oyo Kabamba Iguru’s cabinet has landed in hot soup over allegations of grabbing a wetland and is being investigated for the same.
The investigation was ordered by Omukama Oyo, who directed the Tooro Prime Minister Bernard Tungakwo to investigate allegations of misconduct by the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Security, Patrick Muganzi. Muganzi is accused of allegedly encroaching on a wetland in Fort Portal Municipality.
In December, the Western Region Wetlands Coordinator, Daniel Businge, presented a report to Joseph Ongol, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Wetland Management in the Ministry of Water and Environment, implicating Muganzi for constructing houses and planting eucalyptus trees in Mugunu Wetland, Fort Municipality.
However, the report had since been shelved by the ministry until last week when it leaked.
Joseph Mashuhuko, the Karambi Sub County Councilor and Natural Resources committee chairperson, called for Muganzi’s sacking. He accused him of embarrassing King Oyo who is currently spearheading a campaign aimed at restoring wetlands in the kingdom.
However, Mashuhuko’s comments angered Muganzi.
While addressing the media on Monday at the King’s Palace in Fort Portal, Tungakwo said that the kingdom has been dragged into the matter and that some subjects had petitioned the King over Muganzi’s acts. According to Tungakwo, the King has tasked him to ensure Muganzi’s alleged misconduct as a minister is investigated and if found guilty, appropriate action should be taken against him.
The Deputy Kabarole Resident District Commissioner, Festus Bandeba, says that they are going to work tirelessly to ensure the case that was reported against the encroachers by Businge is concluded and wetland restoration in these areas undertaken.
However, Muganzi refutes the allegations and contends that he did not encroach on the Wetland, but that those words from his enemies who’re bent on tarnishing his name.
