Barnabas Taremwa: Rwabwogo Should Defend Himself on Land, South Sudan and PACEID Claims

By Barnabas Taremwa Bwaniaga

For several months, particular public officials have been trading counter-accusations concerning their duties, actions, and the handling of public assets and money.

For purposes of clarity, let me focus on two individuals: Hon. Kabanda and Mr. Odriek Rwabwoogo.

These matters should not be trivialized or reduced to family, personal, or political differences.

They involve serious allegations that, if true, have implications for taxpayers and citizens of Uganda. When matters of national interest arise, we are all equal stakeholders in this country.

Therefore, we should not look at these allegations merely as Kabanda versus Rwabwoogo or PLU versus PACID. The central issue should be the truth, accountability, and justice.

Over time, I have engaged in social-media discussions about these matters and observed that people approach them through very different lenses. Unfortunately, many seem more interested in defending or attacking individuals and organizations than in interrogating the facts.

I stand for truth and justice. I have no personal interest in either of the two organizations, nor do I have a personal relationship with either of the two individuals.

But as a taxpayer and a senior citizen, I feel obliged to join the voices calling for the facts to be established and justice to prevail.

I have seen many people attempting to discredit Hon. Kabanda. Those who believe he has made false or unfounded allegations should have their day in the appropriate public forum or court and present their evidence.

However, at this moment, the person at the centre of the allegations is Mr. Odrick Rwabwoogo. I have watched Mr. Rwabwoogo’s journey over the years—from a young, needy and humble man to a grown professional with many skills.

Among his most notable abilities is his oratory. When he speaks, he does so with confidence, authority, and information that often appears well researched. It is impressive.

It is precisely because of that ability that I humbly challenge Mr. Rwabwoogo to put those skills to their best and most important use now: answering the allegations against him clearly and factually.

There are specific questions raised by Hon. Kabanda and PLU that, in my view, should not be difficult to clarify if the relevant documentation exists.

1. The five-square-mile land issue

Mr. Rwabwoogo:

Did you receive or acquire the five square miles of land in question, or did you not?
If you did, whose name was the application made in—your own name or that of another individual or entity?

When the Government released the land, in whose name was it registered—the original applicant’s name or that of another individual or entity?

Finally, was the land utilized in accordance with the documentation and commitments presented to Government?

In other words, was there compliance with the stated purpose and conditions under which the land was released?

These are factual questions. They should be capable of being answered with documents rather than political arguments.

2. The South Sudan claimants

Those of us who have been involved in the business community are aware that a number of Ugandan traders reportedly lost money in South Sudan. Government subsequently vetted the claimants and approved a list and a mechanism for compensation.

Mr. Rwabwoogo, was your company among those approved claimants?

If the answer is yes, then this should be relatively straightforward to establish from the Government records. If the answer is no, that too should be equally easy to demonstrate.

3. PACID and accountability

There are also questions concerning PACID that deserve clear answers:

Who employs the PACID workers?

Who pays their salaries and other operational expenses?

Who appoints or authorizes envoys representing PACID in different jurisdictions?

Who is the accounting officer responsible for PACID?

What structures and records govern the management and use of its funds and assets?

Again, these are not necessarily questions of personal character. They are questions of institutional governance, accountability, and public interest.

Mr. Rwabwoogo has demonstrated that he is capable of speaking persuasively and presenting researched information.

I therefore believe he is equally capable of presenting the relevant documents and facts to address these allegations.

This is not a call for anyone to be condemned without due process. An accusation is not a conviction.

Hon. Kabanda should equally be prepared to substantiate his allegations through the appropriate institutions and legal processes.

But neither should serious allegations involving public resources simply be dismissed as political fights or personal disagreements.

Let the facts speak.

Let the documents speak.

Let the appropriate institutions investigate.

And, where necessary, let the courts determine guilt or innocence.

As Ugandans and taxpayers, we have a legitimate interest in knowing the truth. If the allegations are false, let the accused clear his name with evidence.

If they are true, let the responsible institutions take the appropriate action.

What we should not do is turn matters of public accountability into personality contests.

Truth first. Justice always. Accountability for all.

The author is a senior global citizen