A ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) cadre has distanced himself from reports that he stole money meant for the burial of a chief mobilizer and campaigner of President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni.
According to reports, there was drama in Nyanga, Kihihi in Kanungu District as locals nearly tore an NRM cadre for chewing money that the secretariat had sent to facilitate the burial of Eng Idiri Kiiza Kamuntu, the National Coordinator of YKM Team Thorough.
Kamuntu died at Mulago National Referral Hospital on June 02. He is said to have succumbed to diabetes and the condition’s related complications.
On learning that the 38-year-old father of five had passed on, Moses Omujugujugu, who is alleged to be a staff at the NRM secretariat and at State House, reportedly contacted Richard Todwong, the ruling party’s secretary general, informing him of the sad news.
It is said that Todwong’s SG office offered Shs10m as condolence money (mabugo/amaziika) to help in the burial arrangements. Todwong reportedly directed that Omujugujugu is handed Shs5m cash to deliver to the family ahead of burial on June 03.
The remaining money was to be delivered by Jacqueline Kyatuhaire, the NRM Deputy Treasurer.
That the arrangement was that Omujugujugu, who allegedly claimed that he had even given Kamuntu some assignments before the mobilizer’s death, should travel with the team that was ferrying the body from Kampala to Kanungu.
But, money in his hands, Omujugujugu is accused of having developed cold feet and chose not to go with the team carrying the body to Kanungu.
He would reportedly show up on June 03, the day of burial in Nyanga Village, reportedly without the Shs5m he was supposed to deliver.
When he was given a chance to speak, he reportedly said he had informed President Museveni about Kamuntu’s death. That Museveni was angry that he had not been informed that his chief mobilizer had been sick. Omujugujugu them told mourners that the NRM secretariat had sent Shs5m through him but he had allegedly used the same to buy water for the mourners, according to reports.
The mourners were angry with Omujugujugu, wondering how he could have spent Shs5m on about 25 cartons of water that he bought on arrival on the burial day.
Reports further claim that the NRM member would have been torn apart for allegedly stealing condolence money had Kyatuhaire not calmed down family members. The Deputy Treasurer then handed the Shs5m that Todwong had directed her to deliver. Sensing danger, Omujugujugu would reportedly slip out of the gathering of mourners.
TEARS in Museveni’s Camp as ‘YKM Team Thorough’ National Coordinator Dies
MOSES OMUJUGUJUGU SPEAKS OUT
But Omujugujugu has since issued a statement giving his version of the story. Here it is:
I am Mufakinanye Moses aka Commissioned Cadre Omujugujugu Moses, the Reliable committed and unshakeable cadre of the Revolution from Nyakitunda subcounty, Isingiro District.
For the last two days, I have read social media attacks aimed at tarnishing my name that I have built over the years alleging that I ‘swindled’ the condolences money for the burial of my kinsman Idiri kiiza Kamuntu.
The death of my brother shocked me just like any other Members of the public, especially those who knew him closely.
We had some assignments to do together, but he failed to deliver on the assignment for the first time in the years we had known each other, I tried reaching out to him and all phone contacts known to me were off.
I made efforts to reach out to him and I was informed he was sick. I informed senior members of the NRM Party and Government through a general Whatsapp message. I did not reach out to any persons individually.
Within a spell of a few days our brother was pronounced dead at Mulago National Referral Hospital. I woke up very early morning and rushed to the hospital and from there the rest is history.
When I announced his death, PPS Dr. Omona called me and requested me to ensure I am there for our brother and is given a decent burial. It’s from there that the President and Party Chairman made a phone call to one of the widows.
I contacted the NRM Secretariat on the Issue of the death of a committed cadre, the NRM Secretary General organized a meeting that I attended and resolved to support the family with 10 millions of which 5 millions was to handle burial arrangements and the other 5 millions for the family . And also provide transportation for the mourners from Kampala to Kanungu.
I was handed 5 millions to handle burial arrangements and the other was to be delivered my Hon Jacklet Atuhaire, the Deputy National Treasurer of NRM [sic].
I closely worked with the Organizing committee and ensured our brother Idiri Kamuntu was accorded a decent burial
And while addressing the mourners, I clearly put it clear to them. When, I made a public announcement some unscrupulous people calling themselves Team Thorough-YKM started scheming for the money; they approached me with several demands ranging from burial allowance and facilitation, etc. etc. and I declined
In the simple administration I have learnt overtime, I know you account to a person or office that gave you money not the uncles and aunts of social media.
I have not seen anywhere any of the immediate family members complaining (the immediate beneficiaries).
I have not seen anywhere, where the NRM SG, who gave me the money, is complaining?
Being a Ugandan, having lived in Uganda since I was born, I have come to note most Ugandans celebrate failure and enjoy bad things (Banyumilwa nyo ebyononese)
Many Ugandans have successfully completed their course in PhD (Pull him Down) but how do you pull down someone who has been down and is down, really??
I was shocked to see how fake news and baseless statements would go viral like this!
However, I want to thank a section of some good Ugandans who called me from all corners of the world appreciating my huge contribution in the sendoff of our brother Idiri.
I have also noted as a progressive NRM Cadre, while fighting injustice, impunity, corruption in the country I have stepped on some people’s toes and I am reliably informed these are the people who are sponsoring these silly attacks aimed at tainting my image before the public.
I implore them to keenly study my history. I have a clean and clear history built on core Principles of the Revolution especially the open Revolutionary method of work!
Dear members, the plot is bigger than you may imagine but the Lord we serve is a living God. I will emerge victorious!
Please disregard such information by evil people and give them the contempt they deserve
I have instructed my lawyers to look through these missives and legally advise me accordingly.
May Allah forgive our brother Idiri kiiza Kamuntu all his tracepassses and grant him Jana Filidausi…. Allahumma Amiin!
Omujugujugu Moses
The Original Resistance Commissioned Cadre ( RCC) & National Chairman Progressive NRM Cadres of Uganda