Two Members of Parliament from Jinja district and both belonging to the same political party, the ruling NRM have not seen eyes for close to a year, something that is likely to affect service delivery, The Eye Media Political Desk reports.
The misunderstanding is no longer a secret fight, but the two giants have gone as far as accusing each other on microphones at public functions.
The verbal war is between Hon Alex Brandon Kintu (Kagoma North) and Loy Katali (Jinja DWM).
This publication has established that the misunderstanding stems from the accountability of the money raised during a fundraising towards the construction of a health facility in the area spearheaded by the two MPs.
The misunderstanding came to light at the weekend during a graduation ceremony of Dr. Noah Kalengo Mulumba, a son to late Patrick Mulumba, organized in Buwenge town Council. Hon Brandon, who confirmed to be fasting, expressed disappointment with Katali for having distanced him for quite a long period of time.
Without mentioning names, Brandon said some man had caused the relation between him and his colleague to go sour by making derogatory statements against him.
“When I was abroad on treatment, this man who is very close to Hon Katali moved around my constituency alleging that I was hiding in a lodge in Kampala for fear of accounting for the money we collected during the fundraising,” said Brandon.
“I tried to reach out to my colleague, but she decided neither to pick up my calls nor to respond to my messages. I physically looked for her in vain yet her person is affecting me so much. Maama (Kadaga) and our Bishop (Naimanye) I am suffocating” he added while appealing to Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga and Bishop Naimanyhe Mukembo to intervene.
This publication has since established that actually, the man Hon Kintu referred to is Hon Katali’s Political Assistant, Mr. Ali Kirume.
Kirume, according to sources, has been moving around Kagoma North, labelling the area MP as not trustworthy.
Kirume, who didn’t support Brandon in the 2021 campaigns, alleges that Brandon swindled some of the money collected towards the rehabilitation of Nakagyo Health Centre II in Buyengo Ton council, Kagoma North in Jinja district.
The fundraising that was organized by the two MPs on June 18, 2022, was presided over by the Uganda Premier, Robinah Nabanja, leading to a collection of shs 95 millions, based on reliable sources.
But Kirume contests the figure, arguing and informing the public that the money collected totalled 355 million and was taken by Brandon.
Contacted for a comment, Brandon clarified that the total collection was shs 95m, which they jointly counted with his colleague Katali.
“And the area local leaders kept on collecting this money from us until it got finished. I even injected in my personal money for the health facility to get its current outlook,” said Brandon Monday morning.
Brandon, who also had a live interview with Busoga One Radio FM 90.6, made it clear that he won’t let Katali and her camp dent his name.
“It was my effort that the Prime Minister attended the said fundraising. I personally brought Katali on board for colleagueship, but if she wants to fight me the she had issues with Hons Balyeku and Walyomu Muwanika, I am ready for her,” he vowed.
But later, Kirume was heard insisting to his peers that “Brandon must vomit the money” if he wants peace with him and his boss Katali.
“I am struggling to answer questions from people who fundraised, and I have no answers. Hon Brandon vanished with all the money, and we resorted to renting, which also caused me problems after being sued over rent arrears,” Kilume said.
Kilume says his boss (Katali), who a born-again Christian, is not ready to mediate with Brandon unless the money is refunded or the construction works get done.
Brandon said it was his personal effort that the Prime Minister came to his constituency for the fundraising, and Katali only jumped on a running vehicle.
