The Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Jinja City in charge of Northern Division, Hamis Kiganira, has reacted to a 3rd August 2026 petition seeking his removal, dismissing it as “political blackmail” by election losers intended to sabotage government programs at a time when the fight against corruption and abuse of office has taken a radical approach under the President’s “Kisanja No Sleep” agenda.
In a telephone interview, Kiganira said the group of close to 150 people calling themselves “Concerned Residents of Jinja City Division” are disgruntled politicians who lost in the last MP and Local Council elections, including at LC1 level.
“Some lost NRM flags and stood as independents against NRM-sponsored candidates. Others defected to opposition parties but were beaten flatly,” Kiganira said.
Instead of conceding defeat with dignity, Kiganira says they have now resorted to personal and political blackmail. They are trying to use the Office of the President as a battlefield for settling election scores.
Kiganira also took issue with the petitioners dragging in the name of Hajji Faruk Kirunda, Special Presidential Assistant for Press and Mobilization and the Deputy Press Secretary to the President.
“They have erroneously but intentionally dragged the name of Hajji Faruk Kirunda in a desperate gamble to reinforce these clueless allegations. That is name-dropping meant to intimidate and mislead,” he said.
On allegations that some matters are already before court, the Deputy RCC questioned why they were being discussed publicly.
“If at all some of these matters are already in court, why bring them out for public discussion? That amounts to subjudice. It is an attempt to try the case in the media instead of before a judge,” he stated.
The Deputy RCC vowed to “handle the group by their horns” and said he has already engaged lawyers to pursue legal action against them for what he termed “serious and malicious allegations.”
Kiganira who did not mince words says he has already received confessions from some people who allegedly appended their signatures that they were duped that they were being prepared to receive PDM funds.
He also claims that some of the NINs do not match with the names listed implying there is a lot of forgery and manipulation in the scandal which will form part of investigations by relevant organs like the police.
What The 3rd August Petition Alleges.
In the dossier dated 3rd August 2026 and copied to the Presidency Minister Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda, Local Government Minister Hon. Balaam Barugahara, Justice Minister Hon. Norbert Mao, Electoral Commission Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama, and Jinja RCC Salim Komakec, the group asks for Kiganira’s immediate termination in “public interest.”
The petitioners attached individual signatures, telephone contacts, and National ID numbers, appearing to preempt claims that they are “street conspirators.” Kiganira, an NRM cadre who served twice as LC3 Chairman of Mafubira Sub- County before it was absorbed into Northern Division, now faces serious allegations.
They accuse Kiganira of illegally selling over 30 acres of government land belonging to Mafubira Sub- County while serving as LC3. They further allege he sold Uganda Railways land in the same area, and that this was among reasons voters “dumped him” in the 2021 elections.
By virtue of his office, Kiganira chairs the Jinja City Security Committee. The petitioners allege he has instead formed and trained an illegal parallel youth group called “Boy Boys” to intimidate and terrorize targeted residents during campaigns and elections.
The group also alleges Kiganira used his position to assault voters, disenfranchise others, and falsify election results to favor his brother, Hajji Abdulhafidh Nagaya, who is now Jinja City Mayor. They state the matter is already before the courts.
Finally, the petitioners claim Kiganira tells residents he is “untouchable” because of his relationship with Hajji Faruk Kirunda.
Possible Offences and Penalties.
If the allegations are proven, several offences under Ugandan law may apply.
Legal provisions on abuse of office cover situations where a public officer does or omits to do an act in abuse of authority to obtain a benefit. Conviction attracts imprisonment or a fine, or both.
Allegations of fraudulent dealings in government land fall under provisions on causing financial loss and fraud. Such offences carry lengthy prison terms upon conviction.
The claim of organizing an illegal parallel youth group touches on laws against unlawful assembly and formation of militia outside state structures. Conviction can also result in significant jail time.
Electoral laws further provide for offences such as voter intimidation, disenfranchisement, and falsification of results. A public officer found guilty may face imprisonment and disqualification from holding public office.
Assault allegations are covered under the Penal Code and also attract custodial sentences. Legal experts note that for public officers, conviction on corruption or abuse of office typically leads to automatic dismissal and a ban from public office.
What The Presidency Is Likely to Do.
The timing of the petition is sensitive. With “Kisanja No Sleep” placing all public officers under scrutiny, the Office of the President is unlikely to ignore allegations against an RCC.
First, the Office of the Presidency Minister, Hon. Babalanda, will likely acknowledge receipt and forward the dossier to the Presidency’s Internal Security and the Inspector General of Government for preliminary verification of the claims and authenticity of the signatures.
Second, given the criminal nature of some allegations, the file is expected to be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions and Police CID for independent investigation.
Third, the President, as the appointing authority, may place the Deputy RCC on forced leave pending investigations to protect the integrity of the office.
Reports trickling in indicate that a team of detectives and intelligence operatives are already on the ground in Jinja gathering information and conducting counter-intelligence.
Sources say the move is intended to establish the veracity of the allegations, the credibility of the petitioners, and whether there is any political hand behind the dossier.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the Presidency is keen to avoid setting a bad precedent where individuals mobilize residents to file petitions that are acted upon hurriedly, only for investigations to later reveal that the claims were false, malicious, or politically motivated.
“In Uganda today, cases of false allegations and blackmail packaged to look genuine have become the order of the day. The Office of the President cannot afford to be used to settle personal and political scores,” a source intimated.
The Presidency is also expected to task the Jinja RCC, Salim Komakec, to submit an administrative report on the conduct of his deputy and the state of security in the city.
As of press time, the Office of the President had not issued an official statement.
