In what appears to be a direct confrontation against “petition politics and blackmail by media,” the Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Jinja North, Hamis Kiganira, has launched a two-pronged counter-offensive: a formal administrative rebuttal to government and a Shs 800 million defamation demand to his accusers.
In twin actions dated 12th August 2026, Kiganira wrote to the Minister for Presidency Hon Milly Babirye Babalanda and the now trending Minister of Local Government Hon Balaam Barughaare to set the record straight.
On the same day, through his Jinja City based lawyer Wasswa P. Silas & CO. Advocates, he served a Demand Notice cum Intention to Sue for Defamation to 10 residents of Jinja Northern Division.
The Origin: From 20th July Letter To 3rd August Petition.
The matter stems from a 20th July 2026 letter authored by “Elders of Jinja Northern Division” and addressed to the Minister of Local Government, Minister for Presidency, and their Permanent Secretaries, with a copy to the Electoral Commission.
That same document was later repackaged and submitted as a 3rd August 2026 petition to the Presidency by a group calling itself “Concerned Residents of Jinja City Division.”
According to Kiganira’s lawyers, the 20th July 2026 letter is now being amplified by one Banalya John of Tel: +256-759729313 through WhatsApp groups including “Busoga CEC”, “Busoga Elders Forum (BEF”) and other platforms.
Political context: Sources indicate that veteran journalist cum politician John Banalya who contested and lost the 2026 Jinja North MP race under the now-jailed PFF leader Erias Lukwago, to NUP’s Hussein Muyonjo alias Swengere. Balanlya is yet to react to this claim.
Kiganira To Ministers: “Justice Must Be Seen To Be Done”
In his 12th August 2026 letter to the Ministers, Kiganira calls the timing “politically injurious”, coming during ongoing village and parish elections conducted through “transparent, free and fair processes provided for by law.”
“The agenda behind these reckless and careless false statements is retaliation to the team’s false belief that I am responsible for their failure in the just concluded Local Council Elections,” he states.
On the specific allegations, Kiganira responds:
On land: “During my two terms as Chairman L.C. III of Mafubira Subcounty, I did not in any manner engage in the sale of any land belonging to the sub county.
In all land transactions, there is always a buyer and a seller. Unless the complainants have any land sale agreement bearing my name, I will be glad getting such information.”
On sub-county assets: The pickup was “completely down and auctioned” before he assumed office. The motorcycle was handed over and captured in his handover report.
On CAIIP maize mills: “The machines are still in place and never dismantled.” He clarifies that the Namulesa mill was procured using funds extended by His Excellency the President to all LC3 Chairpersons for self-empowerment. “Whereas I chose not to use the money in luxurious ventures, I opted to start a maize mill.”
On the abattoir: “Unless proved to the contrary, I have never at any time engaged, sold or procured to sale the said land.”
On “Boys Boys” militia: As head of security in Jinja North, he asks: “I really wonder where I train the so-called ‘Boys Boys’.” He also denies any dispute with one Waiswa Badru.
Kiganira reminds the Ministers of his mobilization record, claiming he helped deliver “almost 85% win for NRM leaders” in the recent elections. He notes he has never faced trial or commission of inquiry over these matters.
Invoking a foundational principle of natural justice/procedural fairness in common law, he writes: “Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done. It should be a cake for all.”
He concludes: “Whilst all the ongoings, I stand strong and shall not compromise my energy in serving Ugandans, and maintaining the peace and security of my area where His Excellency the President has posted me.”
Copies were sent to the Permanent Secretaries of President’s Office and Ministry of Local Government, and to the RCC Jinja City.
The Shs 800m Legal Strike.
In the demand notice, Kiganira’s lawyers state:
“In full review of the allegations set therein, it is a proven fact that your statements are slanderous, scandalous, defamatory, marred with falsehoods and are thoroughly intended to tarnish our client’s reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of society.”
The 10 addressees named as “Elders of Jinja Northern Division” are: Mr. Mulondo Adi Omar, Ms. Nangobi M. Nalongo, Ms. Namukose Rose, Mr. Majidu Kuluse, Mr. Sebagala Moses, Mr. Batambuze David, Mr. Muyinda Isima, Mr. Walwa Alfred, Mr. Kateebe David, and Ms. Mukoda Jane.
The lawyers demand a public retraction and UGX 800,000,000 in damages “jointly and severally within Seven (7) days”, warning of court action at the recipients’ “peril, mortification and costs.”
Petitioners Cite Public Interest, Say Office Demands Scrutiny.
The ten elders named in the demand notice had not issued a formal response by press time. However, sources close to the group maintain that their actions were driven by public interest and the need for accountability in public office.
They argue that the office of Deputy Resident City Commissioner is among the most sensitive in government, serving as the direct representative of the President in the district with oversight over security, government programs, and public resources. By virtue of that mandate, they contend, the occupant of the office cannot and must not be shielded from scrutiny.
“Our letter of 20th July and the subsequent petition of 3rd August were not written to injure anyone. They were written to raise red flags and to invite investigation,” one of the elders said. “When allegations touch on government land, sub-county assets, CAIIP machines and public order, silence ceases to be neutrality. It becomes complicity.”
The group insists that addressing the Ministers of Presidency and Local Government, with a copy to the Electoral Commission, was the proper channel for raising concerns. They maintain that such communication falls within the realm of qualified privilege and civic duty.
“The bar is higher for those who hold public trust,” another member stated. “A Deputy RCC is not a private citizen. He manages security and government resources. The people have a right to ask questions, and the government has a duty to answer them.”
In defense of their actions, they invoked the principle that democracy thrives on vigilance. “As Thomas Jefferson once said, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” the source added. “We would rather face the courts for speaking than face history for keeping quiet while public property is mismanaged.”
Legal observers note that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, the defense of public interest in defamation cases sets a high threshold. For it to succeed, the statements must be made in good faith, to the appropriate authorities, and based on a reasonable belief in their truth. The courts will now determine whether the petition crossed from legitimate oversight into defamation.
The Philosophy Of Power, Truth And Law.
This dispute is bigger than Jinja. It is about how democracies handle truth, power, and accountability.
On Foundations Of Leadership.
Niccolò Machiavelli, in The Prince written in 1513 while in exile after the fall of the Florentine Republic, warned: “He who has not first laid his foundations may be able with great talent to lay them afterwards, but they will be laid with trouble to the architect and danger to the building.”
Meaning: In politics, reputation is the foundation. Once torn down by falsehood, rebuilding is costly and dangerous.
On Truth Vs Libel.
Lord Mansfield, William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, Chief Justice of England in the 1700s, while presiding over defamation cases, established: “The greater the truth, the greater the libel.”
Meaning: But the reverse is also true — the greater the lie, the greater the damage to an innocent person.
On The Danger Of Lies.
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, during his 1850s debates warned: “No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.”
Meaning: Falsehoods eventually contradict themselves and destroy the liar.
On Speed Of Misinformation.
Sir Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister during WWII in the 1940s, said: “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its boots on.”
Meaning: Today this applies perfectly to WhatsApp groups and viral petitions.
Legal Explainer: Why This Is Risky.
Under Ugandan law, false statements injuring reputation attract both civil and criminal liability.
Defamation is injury to reputation by false statements. Libel is in permanent form – letters, WhatsApp – under Section 179 of the Penal Code Act (PCA) Cap 120.
Slander is spoken word.
Under Section 179 PCA, conviction attracts a fine not exceeding 240 currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both – that is UGX 4,800,000. Victims can also sue civilly for damages, hence the Shs 800m demand.
Legal experts warn: “In the digital age, to forward is to publish. To share is to endorse.” That is why the notice cites WhatsApp amplification.
Background.
As reported by The Exposure Uganda on Tuesday 11th August 2026, the 3rd August 2026 petition accused Kiganira of selling over 30 acres of Mafubira Sub- County land, Uganda Railways land, forming an illegal “Boy Boys” group, voter intimidation, and election fraud.
Kiganira dismissed it as “political blackmail by election losers trying to use the Office of the President as a battlefield.”
Reports indicate intelligence and detective teams are on the ground in Jinja verifying the allegations. The Presidency has not yet issued an official statement.
The Exposure Uganda will continue to monitor this developing story.
