FDC defector Tayebwa now Assistant Commissioner of Cooperative Development!
Tayebwa served as an area member of parliament for Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality from 2009 until January 14, 2021, when he lost the parliamentary seat to Derrick Kabuura of the NRM.
BUSHENYI, August 9, 2024 – The former Member of Parliament for Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Odo Tayebwa who recently defected from the Forum for Democratic Change [FDC] to the ruling National Resistance Movement [NRM] has reportedly been appointed Assistant Commissioner for Cooperative Development in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC].
Tayebwa served as an area member of parliament for Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality from 2009 until January 14, 2021, when he lost the parliamentary seat to Derrick Kabuura of the NRM.
Tayebwa would later file a petition at Mbarara High Court challenging Kabuura’s victory, stating that the Electoral Commission [EC] did not follow set guidelines and that there was voter bribery and intimidation during the election process.
Tayebwa would further pray to court to annul Kabuura’s victory and order fresh elections. However, his petition was dismissed with costs, leaving him disgraced.
Tayebwa had been living a low-profile life until July 28, 2024, when he defected to NRM during a thanksgiving ceremony that the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa organised in Mitooma district, and attended by President Yoweri Museveni.
News of Odo Tayebwa’s alleged appointment as Assistant Commissioner of Cooperative Development started circulating on Wednesday this week on online platforms, and radio stations in western Uganda.
An insider in the MTIC confirmed to this reporter that Tayebwa has been appointed the Assistant Commissioner for Cooperative Development although he has not reported for work.
However, when contacted to confirm the media reports about his appointment, Tayebwa denied receiving any communication from MTIC, or an appointment letter from MTIC, or Office of the President.
“News of my appointment is all over social media and I have been called by several people but I have not received any form of appointment. And I cannot speak on speculations,” Tayebwa told this reporter in a phone interview.
If is true that Tayebwa has been appointed Assistant Commissioner of Cooperative Development in MTIC, then joins at a time when Shs 164 billion corruption scandal continues to tarnish the image of the ministry that was supposed to compensate cooperatives that lost their properties during the political instabilities.
Apollo Kakonge Lee, Executive Director, Western Ankole Civil Society Forum [WACSOF] and a stakeholder in Greater Bushenyi was doubtful whether Tayebwa would add anything good to MTIC, and Museveni’s government.
“I don’t think he will change anything. The current government is not one to trust on anything, and especially that this one is a political appointee,” Kakonge noted.
Leaders of the FDC Katonga Faction led by Guma Gumisiriza, the party chairman in Bushenyi noted that Tayebwa has been working with the NRM.
Midrag Kamadi and Rosemary Fangure, senior leaders of the FDC also alleged that Odo Tayebwa has been trying to kill the party in the district.
“We are still strong as FDC in Bushenyi and therefore, Odo’s crossing to NRM is minor issue. He no longer was important in the politics of Bushenyi,” said Guma.
Meanwhile, members of FDC in Bushenyi have replaced Tayebwa with Denis Twahika Enjoki as the Acting District Party Spokesperson.
https://thecooperator.news/mtic-issues-deadline-for-co-ops-to-validate-registration-status/
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