Prime minister Robinah Nabbanja recently disclosed that she was very disappointed with Kampala Woman Member of Parliament Shamim Malende for reaping from where she didn’t sow.
Nabbanja revealed that when President Museveni assigned her to mediate the efforts to compromise traders under their umbrella the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) and compel them to cancel their strike and open their shops as government works on their issues, she was shocked to be told that police had arrested a number of traders who were striking.
Nabbanja said that she was stunned with the development and immediately stormed out of the meeting which was attended by KACITA leadership including their chairperson Hajji Issa Ssekitto to drive to Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court to rescue the 17 detained traders.
She was however told that the suspects had already been charged and remanded to Luzira prison.
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“I Immediately made a phone call to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba and directed him to make sure that the remanded traders are brought back in Court the next day so that they are released on the Court bail which was done,” Nabbanja said
She further claimed that she directed that the suspects be released on a non cash bail which was done by Winnie Nankya Jatiko the presiding magistrate after she charged them with criminal offences related to inciting violence and forcing fellow traders to close their shops .
Nabbanja said that as she waited on TV and on the social media to see traders praising her and president Museveni’s government for releasing them without paying any shilling, she was shocked seeing them jubilating with Malende who was posturing herself as the lawyer who helped them secure their release.
“I don’t understand how you people of Kampala play your politics, just jumping on other people’s achievements. I was angered by my daughter Malende. At least she would have publicly recognised my effort instead of just taking everything for herself,” Nabbanja said.
She however assured the traders that their problems are going to be solved through the joint committee which comprises of members from KACITA, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and other stakeholders who are working under her supervision and reporting everything to president Museveni.
Malende is struggling to retain her National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket for Kampala Woman MP seat against KCCA Speaker Zahara Luyirika who is vying to snatch it from her.
