A bitter row has erupted with in the international community of the Banyakigezi leading to the resignation of the new chairman and seven members forming another parallel organisation.
The members who have formed a parallel organization include: Fidelis Kanyamunyu, Kisoro Representative; Akababyeyi Benjamin, Youth Representative; Namanya Berna, Treasurer; Consolata Tumwesigye, Secretary; Claire Atwongyeire, Vice Secretary; Jacqueline Karyabakabo, Rukungiri Representative; Lydia Tusingwire, Vice Treasurer; Oscar Kasya, Kanungu Representative and Dr. Francis Mwesigye Runumi.
The aggrieved Dr Runumi says that ever since they were elected in December 2016, they have been demanding a handover to enable them start their term of office, but the old committee led by Dr. Peter Ngategeyieze hasn’t organized one.
Through one of the elders that presided over the elections, Ngategeyieze’s committee hatched a scheme to petition the Patron Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, challenging the election of the new committee which is 4 months old.
“To avoid further wastage of time and frustration most members of my team you elected have resolved that we forget leading ICOB UC forthwith and serve you under a newly registered forum, Kigezi Development Forum, in order to fulfill promises we made in our victory acceptance Speeches in December 2016 at Kabale,” said Dr. Runumi.
“This is voluntary work that doesn’t warrant any fights after several meetings and deliberations came to a conclusion that these elders are happy with the paralysis and don’t care about our taking office. They seem to have their own agenda for the Uganda Chapter ICOB,” he added.
Dr Runumi says that despite the support and intervention of the ICOB Apex organ President Dr. Munini Mulera and his team, the ‘owners’ of ICOB UC have refused them to serve by handing over office.
He says he and other committee members will remain ordinary Banyakigezi, though as paid-up members.
“Each of us personally and willingly stated their position to step aside ICOB UC leadership and follow Kigezi Development Forum, a new service channel that will be unveiled soon,” he said.
Currently, the committee is left with Rukirande Pauline; Kabale Representative, Kyarisiima Scovia; Rubanda Representative and Grace Mugabirwe Mutebile, the Vice Chairperson.
Dr Runumi had replaced Dr Peter Ngategeyieze as the chairman of ICOB UC. Dr. Ngateyeize dropped out of the elections leaving Runumi unopposed.
International community of the Banyakigezi (ICOB) brings together all the people from the Kigezi sub region that live in Uganda as well as in the Diaspora with the aim to promote the cultural, social and economic development of Banyakigezi.
The organisation begun in 2009 with Bank of Uganda Governor, Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, as the first chairperson.