The National Unity Platform (NUP) Diaspora has issued a stern warning to Masaka Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Hudu Hussein, condemning his ongoing online attacks against the party leader, Robert Kyagulanyi.
Dr. Daniel Kawuma, the NUP Diaspora team leader, expressed his deep disappointment with Hussein's continuous targeting of political opponents, with a particular focus on Kyagulanyi and the NUP.
Kawuma stressed the critical role of a Resident City Commissioner, emphasizing that their duty is to oversee and coordinate government activities at the city level. They are expected to work closely with local government officials, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure effective governance and service delivery.
Kawuma underscored that this position is a part of the public service, funded by taxpayers. Established government systems have ethical guidelines, such as Public Service rules, in place to govern the professional conduct of public servants. Public servants are expected to remain neutral in political matters and diligently fulfill their bureaucratic responsibilities. Regrettably, Kawuma noted that Hussein's online activities suggest that he prioritizes attacking the opposition over fulfilling his actual job responsibilities, a prevalent issue in Uganda's public sector.
This partisan behavior, coupled with allegations of corruption, hampers policy implementation and negatively impacts the well-being of citizens. Kawuma questioned how Hussein would receive a known opposition member in his office, given his track record of branding the opposition as enemies of the state through his inflammatory rhetoric.
He emphasized that Hussein's salary is funded by Ugandan taxpayers, including members of the opposition, which raises concerns about the effectiveness of his office. Kawuma referenced the United States' Hatch Act of 1939, which prohibits civil-service employees in the federal government's executive branch from engaging in partisan political activities. He suggested that Uganda's future leaders should address this challenge and transform the culture of public servants through education and retraining.
Public servants must understand that their role is to serve the interests of all citizens, rather than attacking political opponents. Kawuma pointed out that the culture of partisanship extends beyond Hussein and permeates various sectors of the government, including the police force, where officers and top officials frequently make hyper-partisan public statements. He stressed that public servants should prioritize the public interest over partisan politics and adhere to the principles of political neutrality to ensure effective governance.
Reflecting on Hussein's case, Kawuma emphasized the importance of professionalism and impartiality as guiding principles for public servants in Uganda. Transforming the culture of partisanship is seen as crucial for establishing a more effective, accountable, and ethical governance system in the country. It is worth noting that Hussein has faced multiple accusations of online attacks against Kyagulanyi, with this latest incident being just one among many instances where he has targeted him whenever the opportunity arises.
