By Eye Media Uganda | Bukwo | August 27, 2026
Bukwo Resident District Commissioner George Owanyi has been recalled to the Office of the President headquarters with immediate effect after authorities said the situation in the district had slipped out of his control.
The recall was communicated Thursday, August 27, 2026, in a letter signed by Secretary, Office of the President, Haji Kakande Yunus, directing Owanyi to hand over the station to his Deputy RDC and report to Kampala on Friday without fail.
“It has been noted with concern that the situation in the District has spilled out of your control,” the letter reads in part, adding that the prevailing circumstances required his immediate recall.
Owanyi has been summoned to headquarters for further consultations and guidance, while the Deputy RDC will handle the day-to-day responsibilities of the station until further communication.
Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda separately confirmed the development, saying Owanyi had been recalled to headquarters and placed under the Rewards and Sanctions Committee pending investigations.
Babalanda used the development to send a strong message to officials serving under the Office of the President, emphasising discipline and teamwork among staff.
“I highly emphasize discipline and teamwork amongst all staff serving under the Office of the President,” Babalanda said.
The recall comes barely a day after a section of Bukwo residents subscribing to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) protested against Owanyi’s continued stay in the district and demanded his removal.
Placards seen by Eye Media Uganda during the protest carried accusations against the RDC ranging from alleged abuse of office and arrogance to failure to work with other district stakeholders and alleged solicitation of money from Parish Development Model beneficiaries.
The accusations remain allegations and the decision to recall Owanyi pending investigations does not amount to a finding of guilt against him.
However, this is not the first time Owanyi has been recalled from a duty station following disagreements with local leaders.
In 2024, leaders in Namayingo District petitioned the Presidency demanding his immediate transfer only four days after he had been deployed to the district.
The petition, signed by LCIII chairpersons and members of the district executive led by then LCV Chairman Ronald Sanya, raised concerns about Owanyi’s working relationship with local leaders.
The Namayingo leaders reportedly argued that their brief experience working with Owanyi had reinforced concerns previously raised about his tenure in Bududa District.
His latest recall now puts the spotlight on Babalanda’s ongoing efforts to restore discipline, teamwork and accountability within the structures of the Office of the President.
Since taking charge of the docket, Babalanda has repeatedly stressed that RDCs, RCCs and their deputies must work harmoniously with district leaders, security agencies, technical officers and communities if they are to effectively represent the President and supervise government programmes.
The swift intervention in Bukwo demonstrates an administration unwilling to allow prolonged internal disagreements to undermine government business and service delivery.
Rather than permitting the situation to deteriorate further, the Office of the President has brought Owanyi back to headquarters while investigations and consultations take place, leaving the Deputy RDC to provide continuity at the station.
For Babalanda, the Bukwo intervention adds to a broader effort to put her house in order by demanding discipline and accountability from presidential representatives while ensuring that disagreements at duty stations do not frustrate implementation of government programmes.
The message emerging from the Presidency is increasingly clear: RDCs and other presidential representatives must not only supervise government programmes, but must demonstrate discipline, teamwork and the ability to bring stakeholders together in the service of the population.
