By KT Reporter
Robert Mbabazi Kakwerere, Rukiga District LCV Chairman, on Wednesday clashed with councilors over the replacement of his vice. Last month, Kakwerere sacked his vice, Samuel Niwandinda, accusing him of insubordination.
This was after Niwandinda, who is also the secretary in charge of finance, planning and administration for the Rukiga district council, held a press conference and declared his intentions to contest against Kakwerere in the National Resistance Movement-NRM party primaries. He accused the Chairperson of suffocating efforts to have the public get updates about the performance of the district.
Niwandinda argued that since they assumed office in 2021, district leaders have never held a radio talk show or community gathering commonly known as Baraza to explain to the people of Rukiga how the district has performed. He also claimed that no political leader has moved to the communities to supervise or assess government programs like the Youth Livelihood Fund (YLP), Emyooga and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), among others.
He also accused Kakwerere of keeping quiet as the district faces an exodus of civil servants due to Kakwerere’s alleged harassment. He also claimed that the district service commission, land board, and Public accounts are inactive, which has hindered service delivery.
After his sacking, Niwandinda petitioned the court, saying that his sacking is null and void because he was not given a fair hearing and the council was not consulted.
During the district council session on Wednesday, Kakwerere announced that he has replaced Niwandinda with Jacqueline Nkamushaba, a female councilor representing Muhanga town council. Kakwerere also declared that Nkamushaba will continue serving as the secretary for health and education. Kakwerere also appointed Eunice Sadayo female councilor for Rwamucucu Sub County, as the secretary for Finance and Social Services.
The announcement, however, angered a section of councilors, accusing Kakwerere of appointing Nkamushaba, yet the matter is before the court.
Godfrey Mukuru, male councilor representing Muhanga town council, Ainembabazi Brendah, female councilor representing Bukinda sub county, Adrine Tumukunde, councilor representing female workers and Elly Katabazi, male councilor representing Kamwezi sub county, demanded that Kakwerere halt appointments as they claim that the matter is before the Kabale high court and hearing is soon.
But Kakwerere insisted, saying that he has the power to replace the executive and vice chairperson. Oscar Akampurira, District speaker and Hajjat Sharifah Nakintu backed Kwerere, saying Rukiga district local government is not in the court petition.
Amed Bende, male councilor representing Mparo town council, Gideon Akampurira, male councilor representing Bukinda Sub County, and Kadesi Muyanja, female councilor representing Kamwezi Sub County, also backed Kakwerere, saying that his appointments are legitimate
Niwandinda also accused Kakwerere of being a dictator and declining to give him a fair hearing.
Kakwerere went ahead and appointed Nkamushaba amid protests from a section of councilors-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
