Shortly after he publicly rubbed shoulders with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat (POA), over his decision announcing his relinquishment from the party vice presidency for Buganda region through his August 8 th 2023 letter to the relevant party organ, for non- performance and indiscipline, Kampala city lord mayor Erias Lukwago is at spot after his name embroiled into controversies relating to the salaries of his office staff.
Credit: TRUSTED NEWS UGANDA.
An impeccable source who has been part of the lord mayor Lukwago’s inner circle since 2011 narrated to this website with how the lord mayor’s personal assistants have allegedly ended up resigning their jobs after being directed to share their hard-earned wages with his brothers under duress.
The source whose name is withheld for protection given the sensitivity of the matter cited Elvis Kintu Nsonyi who recently left for the United States (US) following frustrations, and Aidah Nakuya.
It is said that Brian Atuhairwe commonly known as the unstoppable is another one that resigned his job from the deputy lord mayoral office where he was sitting as a way of evading the alleged unceasing salary sharing demands time and again.
The source pointed out one Swaib Matovu, Isma Kigudde, Issa Lwanga, all said to be brothers and relatives to the lord mayor and one Kibedi his personal driver as grand plotters and beneficiaries of the alleged treachery.
“Elvis left for the US because he was tired of sharing his salary with the lord mayor’s driver Kibedi and Swaib Matovu”, said a source.
Other two sources said that Nsonyi had sought a salary loan to be able to successfully execute his
diaspora deal.
“Elvis had been turned into a refugee of people with problems who would accost the lord mayor for help” sources narrated.
Kintu Nsonyi’s job of personal assistant is currently being executed by the lord mayor’s soft speaking brother Ramathan Lukwago.
It is alleged that Aidah Nakuya who turned the rule of law preacher’s personal assistant after losing an election as Kampala woman member of parliament, was allegedly fought to resignation by his brothers and relatives for refusing to share her salary with them.
However, replying through one of the WhatsApp groups, Kintu Nsonyi watered down claims that he was not in good terms with his former boss.
“I talk to the lord mayor everyday” He emphasized.
Nsonyi also boasted that he was being paid quite well 7.6 million shillings monthly, dismissing claims that he had quit his job for greener pastures abroad. But why would a person resign his/her well-paying job like that one and choose diaspora over their home country?
Allegations of how the Lord Mayor’s Brothers and Aides Feast on Other Staff Salaries
The source alleges that the lord mayor Lukwago’s relative Issa Lwanga is supposed to be the official driver of the deputy lord mayor Doreen Nyanjura according to the Ministry of Public Service records, but because of injustice he does not work but earns the salary at the expanse of one Ali who is doing the job.
“The lord mayor needs to be investigated for allegedly recruiting ghost workers who don’t work. Besides when Lukwago appoints someone his deputy, it is that deputy lord mayor to personally draw resources from his/her pocket to pay the driver.” Said the sources adding “It has been the norm since Sarah Kanyike’s regime”.
Sarah Kanyike formerly deputy lord mayor after Sulaiman Sserwadda Kidandala was later poached from Lukwago as state minister for youths and child affairs before she was dropped for her current presidential advisor portfolio.
A source also accused another lord mayor’s brother Medi Ssentongo who drives the KCCA double cabin pick up for his police guards that constitutes part of his security detail, of feasting on salary for other staff at the big man’s office with impunity.
“The deputy lord mayor’s office has the following staff; one lady Dante, Sarah and Ali Ssekiranda, but all their salary is shared with Kibedi, lord mayor’s driver, Swaib his brother and Med Ssentongo” said a source
The KCCA political head is also being accused by his former ally of conducting himself not any different from some of the actors in the central government that he has always sharply criticized over nepotism and tribalism yet his office is not spared either, reflected by the presence of his clansmen, friends and relatives at his office.
“Lukwago’s niece Sang, Swabi’s daughter works in his deputy’s office Doreen Nyanjura” Quoted a source.
The source further pins the city hall boss brothers and driver Kibedi for allegedly not sparing salary of another staff only identified as Rahma, a personal assistant for three of the lord mayor’s CEC ministers.
He also questioned Kibedi’s employability which he says is un known to the Ministry of Public Service.
Salary Devourers allegedly Cost Councilor Moses Katabu Ministerial Seat
It has emerged from a source that councilor Moses Katabu who currently chairs the National Unity Platform (NUP) KCCA councilor’s caucus at city hall, was allegedly ejected from his seat as a minister on the City Executive Committee (CEC) during the previous term after being fought by the named lord mayor’s brothers and driver over reluctance to share his salary with them.
CEC ministerial appointments are made by the lord mayor according to the amended KCCA Act that provides for the running of the KCCA business.
“If you want to find more truth, ministry of public service is the secondary evidence” said source
However, we could not succeed to secure a comment from the lord mayor Erias Lukwago in response to the allegations that are levelled against his office as our calls went un answered after he failed to pick up.