An elderly mother, Getrude Kamwerere Karuhanga, and her children in Sembabule District have made a desperate appeal to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for urgent intervention in a bitter family dispute involving their own son and brother, Richard Tabaro, a serving Deputy Resident District Commissioner. The family alleges that Tabaro has subjected them to violence, intimidation, and threats to their lives.
According to the petition, dated September 14, 2025, Mrs. Karuhanga and her children, Bitega Jackson, Bamushabire Betty, Nsiime Joy, and Kasande Deborah, have been seeking presidential protection, fearing continued inaction could expose the family to further violence and potentially tragic consequences. The family has addressed their appeal to President Museveni through the Secretary to the Presidency, Hajji Yunus Kakande, and the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Milly Babalanda.
The family's latest appeal comes after several attempts to resolve the dispute through family meetings, police intervention, and administrative mediation reportedly failed to produce a lasting solution. Instead, the siblings allege that Tabaro has continued to rain terror on the family through threats, intimidation, and acts of violence, leaving their elderly mother and other vulnerable relatives living in fear.
The family originally lived at Kashaare in Kashari, Mbarara District, before collectively deciding in 2017 to sell the property and acquire new land at Kashozi Kamwe in Ntusi Sub-County, Sembabule District. The new property subsequently became their principal family home and the center of their agricultural activities. However, the family identifies their mother as the custodian of the family heritage but accuses Tabaro of forcefully occupying the family house in 2022 and displacing her.
One of the most disturbing allegations concerns an incident on May 6, 2025, involving Tabaro's elder brother, Bitega Jackson, who is reportedly disabled. The family alleges that Tabaro attempted to physically attack his brother after receiving a telephone call from his superior, the Oyam District RDC, Shilaku James. The petition further alleges that when Jackson's wife, Jane Busingye, intervened to protect her husband, Tabaro turned his aggression towards her and assaulted her instead.
Beyond the alleged violence and property destruction, the family has raised concerns about suspected forgery and the use of false documents in attempts to obtain powers of attorney relating to the family land. The cases are reportedly under investigation at Sembabule Police. The family also accuses Tabaro of participating in the destruction of property belonging to his sisters, Bamushabire Betty, Nsiime Joy, and Kasande Deborah, on the same day.
The family is particularly concerned that the person they accuse of tormenting them holds a government position whose responsibilities include protecting citizens and maintaining law and order. They have also questioned his alleged participation in partisan political activities while serving as Deputy RDC. The siblings say they have exhausted several avenues of seeking help, including mediation by Tabaro's immediate superior, but the interventions have not produced a lasting solution.
Key points
- The family is seeking an impartial investigation into the alleged assault, threats, property destruction, forgery, and abuse of office.
- They are also requesting Tabaro's temporary interdiction or suspension from his duties as Deputy RDC of Oyam District to safeguard investigations from possible interference.
- The family wants relevant security, police, and administrative authorities directed to protect their mother and disabled brother from further intimidation and threats.
