Ex-Jinja District boss apologises for insults
Former Jinja District chairperson, Lt Hannington Basakana. File photo
JINJA. Former Jinja District chairperson, Lt Hannington Basakana, has apologised to the residents for having insulted them during his tenure of office.
Mr Basakana, a former Internal Security Officer and bush war veteran, was district chairman from 2006 to 2011. Speaking in Jinja Town on Sunday in what appeared to be his first public engagement since he lost in the Butembe MP seat race to incumbent Daudi Migereko, Mr Basakana acknowledged that he sometimes acted harsh and ruthless.
“I have for these four years been committed to reading the Word of God, which has helped me to greatly reform and transform, and the scriptures in Galatians Chapter Five teach me to avoid using an abusive tongue, I therefore apologise to whoever I could have hurt in my speeches when I was the chairman,” he said.
He singled out Jinja Mayor, Muhammad Baswari Kezaala, and members of the Opposition Democratic Party (DP), who he once referred to as lizards.
“My brother Baswari and his party members did not commit any crime or mistake to subscribe to the Democratic Party just like I have always decided to remain independent despite the numerous parties in Uganda. I therefore want to withdraw that statement,” he said.
Standoff
The two disagreed over the location of a proposed Chinese-funded hospital. While Mr Kezaala wanted it constructed in Jinja Town, Mr Basakana wanted it in Kagoma County.
Mr Basakana remained noncommittal when asked whether he will be returning to active politics next year, insisting that he is still watching the political atmosphere.
