In this week’s reshuffle of RDCs, RCCs and their deputies, President Yoweri Museveni deployed Richard Gulume Balyainho as Jinja City Resident City Commissioner (RCC), replacing Darius Naninda who has been taken to the south western Fort Portal City.
Gulume’s posting has triggered excitement throughout the Busoga sub region, where he is a household name by many who know his acumen in the current era where many people are losing trust in leaders.
With a leadership career spanning over three decades, Gulume is renowned for his exceptional monitoring abilities, meaning he brings on a table a rich menu of leadership credentials for the city dwellers.
Gulume’s journey began in 1986, shortly after President Yoweri Museveni assumed power, this introducing the Resistance Council (RC) system replacing the former Mayumba 10 cells that was introduced in Iddi Amin’s time in 1972.
He started as Secretary RC1 for his Budhumbuli East Village before becoming the full RC chairman of the same area and years later the LC3 chairman for Mafubira Sub County (now a ward in Jinja City Northern Division).
Gulume also served as LC4 chairperson for Butembe County before the big man from Rwakituara spotted and posted him to the border Tororo as Deputy RDC.
In his tour of duty, Gulume has been to places like Butaleja (two times), greater Jinja district, Buvuma District, Bugweri, Mayuge,Jinja and now Jinja City, the capital of Busoga sub region.
Since then, Richard Gulume has accumulated vast experience, making him one of the most seasoned RDCs in the country. His tenure has been marked by significant achievements, earning him the respect and admiration of his peers and the community.
As the dean of all RDCs in Busoga, Gulume’s leadership extends beyond Jinja City.
He has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among his colleagues, ensuring a unified approach to development in the region.
Under Gulume’s guidance, the troublesome Jinja City full of land disputes and corruption-related issues is expected to witness unity and calm among the stakeholders.
“…unity is strength as leaders in various categories and capacities; we have no choice but to work together as a team in order to serve our people better and ensure effective service delivery…”,Gulume assures.
His door-to-door engagement with residents and knowledge of Busoga as a whole having been born and bred in the area will endear him to the community, making him a beloved figure in the city that does not take a fortnight without an eruption of controversy.
Asked why President Yoweri Museveni has religiously maintained him as an RDC, Gulume is quick to attribute this to his love, commitment, and passion for ruling NRM and the people.
“…I love my work, I love the people in any community I am posted, I handle my assignment with enthusiasm because there is nothing greater than serving citizens of my country…”, Gulume said in an interview.
Gulume now says the latest posting to serve the home community has given him renewed energy and interest and promises to tackle cleanliness and urban crime and kick out intrigue among leaders.
However, analysts say the posting of Gulume to the City is a calculated move by President Museveni to bolster the NRM’s presence and visibility in the area which now boasts of more opposition MPs Hon Timothy Lusala Batuwa (FDC Jinja West), Hon Manjeri Kyebakutika (NUP City Woman MP) and His Worship Alton Peter Kasolo ‘Okocha’ (NUP City Mayor) alongside other opposition councilors in the constituency that was an NRM stronghold.
So Gulume’s dual focus on effective service delivery and satisfying his supervisors makes him an ideal choice to execute the president’s agenda to ensure NUP dwindles.
“…by leveraging Gulume’s local knowledge and mobilization expertise, NRM aims to counter opposition’s influence and restore its dominance…”, some analysts explained.
As a son of the soil, Gulume possesses an intimate understanding of Jinja City’s dynamics and geopolitics, allowing him to effectively engage with residents and address their concerns.
His ability to connect with the community, almost knowing many people by name and clan, will be crucial in revitalizing NRM’s fortunes in Jinja City.
With Gulume at the helm,NRM is poised to regain its footing not only in Jinja City but the region where opposition is already on the ground making clandestine political maneuvers taking advantage of challenges like unemployment and poverty among the youth.
“…as the political landscape continues to evolve ahead of 2026, Richard Gulume’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of Jinja City where many RCCs have left in tears…” a source said.
Conclusively, Gulume has pledged to embark on serious mobilization of the city dwellers to make use of the various anti-poverty government programmes like PDM, Emyooga, UPE, USE and others.
Just like Jesus told his audience that “…I tell you the truth…no prophet is accepted in his hometown…”(Luke 4:24ff),a section of residents is also not happy with Gulume’s posting to Jinja City.
A handful of women who called themselves “kisanja Group “on Tuesday engaged in what looked like a stage-managed protest, denouncing Gulume’s posting as a counterproductive move for NRM.
Gulume says the so-called protest was indeed sponsored by an unnamed individual who has been cautioned against that kind of behavior or else he faces severe sanctions.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
