Bamasaaba Young Politicians Seek Government Deployment as RDCs, Commissioners and Presidential Advisers

By Steven Masiga

The Bamasaaba cultural institution has called on the Government to consider deploying a number of young politicians from the Bugisu sub-region who lost elective positions in recent elections, arguing that their experience, mobilisation capacity and public-service records can still be utilised in national service.

Hon. Steven Masiga, spokesperson of the Bamasaaba cultural institution, told Nile Chronicles that it is painful to see relatively young politicians who have previously served in Parliament, local government and other public institutions struggling economically after losing elections.

Masiga said some of the affected politicians invested substantial resources and personal effort in political mobilisation but now face difficulties supporting their families and rebuilding their livelihoods.

“It is painful to see a former legislator digging. I found a former Member of Parliament deep in Busoga tilling his cocoa farm, a small farm even by village standards, just to make ends meet,” Masiga said.

According to Masiga, the cultural institution has received concerns from several former politicians and believes Government has an opportunity to retain their experience by appointing qualified individuals to statutory boards, commissions and other public institutions.

He said others could serve as Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), presidential advisers or in other positions where their leadership and mobilisation experience could contribute to Government programmes.

“As Bukuka, we have a duty to engage His Excellency the President to draw his attention to members of our community. They are committed and very visible mobilisers,” Masiga said.

He added that the cultural institution intends to compile the curriculum vitae of the identified politicians and present them to Government for consideration.

A pool of experienced young leaders

Masiga highlighted several individuals whom he said possess qualifications, political experience, leadership skills and a record of supporting the Bamasaaba cultural institution and its community programmes.

Among those mentioned is Dr Kosea Wambaka, whom Masiga described as a highly educated economist and management professional with several academic qualifications. Wambaka contested for the Budadiri West parliamentary seat and mounted a strong challenge against the then incumbent Hon. Nandala Mafabi. 

Masiga said Wambaka is below 50 years of age, remains active in mobilisation and is willing to serve Government in a responsible capacity.

Another name on the list is Mr Wakweika, who previously served as a councillor in Namisindwa District before becoming LCV Chairperson of Namisindwa. Masiga said he is a graduate of education, is still below 50 and has played a role in programmes associated with the cultural institution.

Hon. Isaac Katenya, a former Member of Parliament for Bulambuli County, is also being proposed. Katenya lost the seat to Hon. Emmanuel Wepukhulu but, according to Masiga, brings parliamentary experience and academic qualifications, including a master's degree in business management and a degree in education.

Masiga said Katenya was instrumental in parliamentary business during the 11th Parliament and remains a strong supporter of the cultural institution.

The list also includes Hon. Moses Kigai Wamoto, who previously served as an RDC in several districts before contesting for the Bukighai parliamentary seat. Masiga described him as a young administrator with a master's degree in public administration and experience in Government mobilisation and administration.

Hon. Justine Khainza, a former Bududa District Woman Member of Parliament who served for two terms before losing the seat to Hon. Agnes Nandutu in 2021, was also cited. Masiga said Khainza, who is below 50 and holds a master's degree in public health, could contribute to public service in another capacity.

Professionals with specialised expertise

Masiga also pointed to Dr Sarah Khanakwa, who is below 50 and holds a PhD in institutional leadership. He said she is currently involved in coffee research under initiatives associated with Gen. Salim Saleh in Bugisu.

Hon. Annet Nandutu, formerly LCV Chairperson of Bulambuli District, was described as a graduate and an instrumental supporter of the cultural institution and its community programmes.

The proposed pool further includes Hon. Isaac Masanga, a lawyer based in Mbale City who previously contested for Budadiri West. Masanga holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a postgraduate Bar Course qualification from the Law Development Centre. Masiga said he has since moved to the National Unity Platform but remains a young professional who could serve in an appropriate capacity.

Mr Robert Wabale, a former Deputy Resident City Commissioner in Mbale, was also mentioned. Masiga said Wabale is a political science graduate of Kyambogo University and previously moved from the Forum for Democratic Change to the National Resistance Movement alongside a number of supporters. He recently became chairperson of the Kyambogo University Convocation.

Other names include Hon. Kefa Mafumo, who contested the Butiru parliamentary seat on the NRM ticket and is a graduate; Hon. Ritah Namuwenge, a graduate who recently contested the Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament seat; and Hon. Anthony Wasikura, who contested for the Mbale City Industrial Division parliamentary seat.

Masiga also mentioned Hon. Paul Wanyoto, who contested for the Mbale City Northern Division parliamentary seat and has since moved to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), as well as Hon. Mariam Nambuya, who contested independently for the Bududa Woman MP seat.

Nambuya, Masiga said, is an NRM supporter who holds a degree from Uganda Christian University and a certificate in administrative law from Makerere University.

The final name cited was Hon. Richard Mataya, who recently contested the Bubulo East parliamentary seat. Masiga said Mataya holds a degree in business from Islamic University in Uganda and is available to serve Government in an appropriate capacity.

Cultural institution to lobby Government

Masiga stressed that the proposal is not simply about rewarding politicians who lost elections but about retaining experienced young leaders within the public service system.

He argued that electoral defeat should not necessarily bring an end to a person's contribution to national development, particularly where an individual has demonstrated leadership, professional competence, mobilisation skills and commitment to Government programmes.

He said many of the politicians identified are below 50 years and have young families, making continued productive engagement in public service particularly important.

The cultural institution, he said, intends to formally engage President Yoweri Museveni and relevant Government authorities on the matter.

“We shall soon compile their CVs to Government,” Masiga said, indicating that the institution wants the process to be based on the qualifications, experience and suitability of individual candidates.

The proposal comes at a time when Government continues to rely on RDCs, presidential advisers, statutory boards, commissions and other appointed positions to implement programmes and provide administrative and technical leadership across the country.

For the Bamasaaba cultural institution, the argument is that Bugisu has a pool of young professionals and political actors whose experience should not be lost simply because they were unsuccessful at the ballot box.

Masiga believes that deploying qualified members of this group could provide Government with additional experienced personnel while giving the individuals an opportunity to continue serving the country.

However, any eventual appointments would remain subject to the constitutional, statutory and administrative requirements governing the respective positions.

The cultural institution therefore plans to present its case to Government, with Masiga maintaining that the identified individuals should be assessed on merit, competence, integrity, experience and their ability to contribute to national development.

For the Bamasaaba leadership, the message is clear: political defeat should not automatically translate into the end of public service, particularly for young leaders who still have the capacity and willingness to serve.