Locals beat up leaders over sub-county office
Attacked. Residents of Goli-Goli Village manhandle their councillor, Mr Abedi Nabulele (with black coat), after a meeting on Tuesday. PHOTO BY MUDANGHA KOLYANGHA
What you need to know:
- “We will not allow sub-county offices to be relocated to Nangaiza. We will do everything to stop that,” goli-goli resident.
- The district chairman, Mr Charles Kadyama, said they will soon meet all parish leaders to address their concerns.
KIBUKU. A meeting called to discuss the location of the Goli-Goli Sub-county headquarters in Kibuku District on Tuesday turned chaotic after residents beat up their leaders, accusing them of being insensitive to people’s demands.
Trouble started after the sub-county leaders, including the Goli-Goli Parish councillor, Mr Abedi Nabulele, and the chairperson, Mr Ali Kayombo, informed residents during the meeting in Goli-Goli village that the newly created Goli-Goli Sub-county would have its headquarters at Nangaiza and not in Goli-Goli village, their preferred choice.
The irate residents armed with sticks started caning their leaders, accusing them of being hypocritical and being self-seekers when discussing issues that affect the ordinary people.
“These are supposed to be our servants. We entrusted them with our power but they have misused it. They operate on the whims of few to satisfy their interests but we will not relent until they start valuing our views as voters,” Mr Joshua Kirya, one of the residents, said.
Mr Kirya said they roughed up their leaders for failing to give satisfactory explanations to why they had ignored their views on the status of the sub-county.
He added that the decision to transfer the sub-county headquarters to Nangaiza was aimed at creating friction between the people of Goli-Goli and Nangaiza. Goli-Goli Sub-county became operational on July 1, 2017, but the residents accused Mr Kayombo of moving the sub-county headquarters to Nangaiza on allegations that those of Goli-Goli did not support him during the 2016 elections. Mr Nabulele later conceded to residents’ demands.
“People of Goli-Goli have the right to protest the move because it will cause more tension between Nangaiza and Goli-Goli,” he said.
The district chairman, Mr Charles Kadyama, said they will soon meet all parish leaders to address their concerns.
"There are people who are trying to push for their own interests because having offices in Nangaiza does no harm,” he said.
