Tension and division among Mbarara city district leaders have dominated the Ankole Business Symposium at Kakyeka playground Mbarara city, with several leaders and stakeholders accusing the Mbarara North MP Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari of sidelining them and being selfish.
They claim that Rukaari, who doubles as the National Chairman of National Resistance Movement-NRM entrepreneurs league was driven by selfish interests not to engage them for preparation, mobilization and participation in the event that happened today Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Kakyeka playground.
However, Rukaari who has worked with Uganda Development Bank-UDB and Operation Wealth Creation-OWC can be quoted by the local media explaining how this symposium is a milestone in boosting investment and business in the area.
The confusion and suspicion escalated when several leaders were nowhere to be seen during the arrangements, and many leaders including other area MPs didn’t attend the launch presided over by OWC boss Gen. Salim Saleh.
This is on top of reports quoting District LC V Chairman, Mr. Didas Tabaro who expressed displeasure over how the symposium was organized and how he wasn’t formally invited.
The symposium which is organized by Uganda Development Bank and Operation Wealth Creation under the theme “Contribution of Financial Innovation to the Resilience of the Economy for Sustainable Growth” has ran from 21st February and will close tomorrow on 23rd February.
The event has drawn participants from political, business, academia and civil society leadership from 13 districts making up Ankole Sub-region to share experiences and identify business opportunities, entrepreneurship linkages and skills for development.
Hon Rukaari, among other leaders, have on several occasions been cited in scandals overshadowing their positive contributions towards development, though they always brush them off “cheap politics.”
The leadership of Mbarara, which is a new city, are currently embroiled by in scandals including land wrangles & land grabbing, outcry from the business community over delayed opening of new central market, corruption and embezzlement allegations, unnecessary political interferences & wrangles, among others hindering smooth development.