Minister Balaam Openly Reprimands Colleague Nameere over Protocol Breach in Masaka City

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reported that a government meeting in Masaka City turned tense when Senior Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara publicly rebuked State Minister Justine Nameere Nsubuga over what he described as repeated breaches of meeting protocol. The outlet said the exchange was captured in a video that circulated widely online, showing Balaam stopping Nameere as she tried to speak while he was addressing the gathering.

According to Watchdog Uganda, Balaam told the meeting that he had convened and initiated the engagement, and asked Nameere to respect the proceedings. The incident reportedly happened in front of local leaders, residents and journalists, with Balaam then returning the discussion to the district controller and the official agenda.

The Masaka meeting was part of the Ministry of Local Government’s wider effort to address corruption concerns and administrative delays in local governments, the report said. One issue before the meeting involved a dispute over coffee seedlings supplied to farmers, including complaints about delayed payments and alleged irregularities involving municipal officials and private contractors. Watchdog Uganda reported that Nameere had earlier been involved in mediation related to the dispute.

The episode has drawn public discussion about decorum, hierarchy and professionalism within government meetings. Watchdog Uganda noted differing interpretations, with some observers viewing Balaam’s intervention as an attempt to maintain order, while others saw it as a sign of possible friction between the two ministers, especially given that the engagement was held in Nameere’s home area.