By Kenneth Wamatoyi
BUGIRI
Tension has sparked in Bugiri District between Chairperson Governor Mulumba Davidson Kasajja and a local driver Kasolo Hamuza Wayibale over unpaid dues for over two years, dating back to 2023.
The issue came to light when the driver of the vehicle (Rage Rover, No. LG 0021013) belonging to the Water and Sanitation Sector of Bugiri District decided to park it at Queen’s Bar and withheld the keys, demanding over 5 million shillings from the chairman on 1st April, 2025.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Bugiri District, Kisule Mabandha Martin, clarified in a phone call that he was unaware of the situation as he is currently studying in Kyankwanzi. However, he confirmed that the district has official drivers and that the chairperson himself is responsible for such matters.
Kasolo aged 40, stated that he has known Mulumba even before his tenure as chairman. He had previously driven special vehicles before being taken on by the LC5 to the district and had worked for Mulumba during his campaign. Initially, district drivers had worked with Mulumba for two weeks, but they left due to his behavior.
In 2022, after the district drivers left, Chairman Mulumba called Kasolo and offered him the position of his personal driver. They agreed on a daily payment of 7,500 shillings. Mulumba provided him with a double-cabin Gavi vehicle, which Kasolo drove for the chairman starting in 2022. In February 2023, Mulumba gave Kasolo a non cash payment and instructed him to leave the vehicle with the Chairman of the District Service Commission, Mr. Ngobi Aggrey.
Kasolo later found another driver, Isaac, to replace him. However, tensions arose between Isaac and Mulumba due to personal differences, leading to a dispute in Iganga Town. As a result, Chairman Mulumba once again called Kasolo in 2024 and re-hired him as his driver. Kasolo, however, was demanding payment for his services over the last year and a half, which had not been fulfilled.
According to Kasolo, he drove the vehicle for two years and several months without receiving any payment. After repeatedly demanding his due compensation, Kasolo claims Mulumba told him to go home, stay with his wife, and find ways to earn money for school fees. Kasolo, frustrated by the situation, went to Bugiri Police to file a report Vide BUGIRI CPS SD REF 74/01/04/25, leaving the vehicle at the bar and refusing to return the keys until the issue is resolved.
Kasolo expressed his anger over Mulumba’s dismissive response, particularly when Mulumba, who was at the bar drinking, advised him to go home and “dig” to earn money for school fees.
Kasolo denied any political affiliation or involvement in the political pressure surrounding the situation in Bugiri District.
However, when the LC5 Chairman was approached for comment prior to the publication of this story, his phone remained off, with claims that it was “busy.” several times.
