MP Kasamba Supports Caning Residents to Do Communal Work

MP Kasamba

Kakuuto County MP Mathias Kasamba has expressed support for the policy of whipping residents who refuse to participate in communal work.

MP Kasamba
MP Kasamba

Hon Kasamba believes the policy can force lazy and indisciplined residents to work for the greater good of Rakai district in 2015.

Kasamba believes forcing all residents to take part in communal work, in Luganda parlance known as “Bulungibwansi”, will encourage a culture of nationalism and wipe out laziness.

Kasamba believes the whipping policy can be used to force residents to tackle problems of poor sanitation, insecurity and lead to development.

Kasamba’s announcement that he will encourage use of the whipping policy in Rakai in 2015 has caused concern among some community leaders.

Robert Benon Mugabi, the LC5 Chairman for Rakai district, fears that such a policy may lead to violence in the community.

Mugabi says that Kasamba might not care about the possible fallout of this policy because he does not plan to run for office again in 2016. Kasamba does confirm that he will not seek re-election in 2016.

Badru Mujuzi, the Councilor for Matale Parish in Kalisizo Rural, says that he does not support the policy because it infringes on people’s dignity and human rights.

Kasamba made the remarks at the opening of Munyeye Guest House in Kakuuto Sub County, Rakai on Sunday, January 04.

This is not the first time Kasamba has made such public utterances on the necessity of compelling residents to take part in communal work.

Some of the residents have since complained to the police that their leaders want to cane them.

Last week, Francis Tumwesigye, the District Police Commander, warned district leaders and residents against taking the law into their hands.

This whipping policy came to national attention in November 2014 when Lwengo LC 5 Chairman George Mutabazi was captured on camera forcing residents to participate in Bulungibwansi.

In the video footage, assisted by police, Mutabazi can be seen caning men and women who are found in their homes. These are the residents who had allegedly refused to participate in the communal clean up exercise.

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