Drama has unfolded in Bumbo Sub County, Namisindwa District, after the former LC3 Chairperson, Anthony Busolo, reportedly refused to hand over government office items following the swearing-in of newly elected local leaders. The incident comes as the nationwide swearing-in of LC3 Chairpersons concluded on Friday, in line with the Electoral Commission roadmap.
According to Ministry of Local Government guidelines, outgoing LC5 Chairpersons were required to hand over instruments of power and office items to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), while LC3 Chairpersons were expected to hand over to Sub County Chiefs before new leaders assumed.office.
The items reportedly withheld include a government motorcycle, the Local Government Act, the Constitution, and official files. Speaking at the swearing-in of his successor the Bumbo Sub County Chief Briane Wekesa, said that the former LC3 Chairperson had only earlier handed over an official stamp during the budget approval process for the 2026/27 financial year, but had not completed a full handover.
“The former LC3 only submitted the stamp to him during the budget approval for the 2026/27 financial year last month but has refused to hand over office officially, as the law requires,” Wekesa said.Wekesa added that several attempts to recover the government motorcycle and other items had not yielded results.
“I have written several letters to him to return the motorcycle and other items, but there has been no response to date,” he said. The newly sworn-in LC3 Chairperson of Bumbo Sub County, Fred Sally, expressed concern over the situation, saying the failure to hand over official tools would hinder service delivery.
“It is unfortunate that my colleague refused to hand over office officially and also refused to hand over office items,” Sally said. He added that the absence of key documents such as the Constitution and the Local Government Act would affect his ability to execute duties effectively.
“It will be hard to execute my work since I do not have the Constitution, the Local Government Act, or the motorcycle,” he said, calling for urgent intervention from district authorities.
Namisindwa District Chief Administrative Officer, Joseph Lomongin, condemned the refusal to hand over government property, stressing that the motorcycle remains public property. “The motorcycle is government property, not personal,” Lomongin said, adding that the matter would be followed up to ensure recovery of the items.
He further urged the new LC3 Chairperson not to lose hope, assuring him that authorities would act to resolve the matter. When contacted, Anthony Busolo denied allegations of refusing to hand over the motorcycle, saying it had mechanical issues.“I have not refused to hand over the motorcycle. It has technical problems and has been parked at Bumbo Town Council,” Busolo said, adding that it would be handed over once repaired.
Elsewhere in the district, the CAO concluded swearing-in ceremonies across several sub counties including Bukokho, Bumbo Town Council, Bukiabi, and Lwakhakha Town Council.In Bukokho Sub County, the swearing-in of female councillors representing persons with disabilities was postponed after two candidates tied twice in separate votes, prompting the Electoral Commission to plan a fresh election.
Local leaders in the district also made pledges following their swearing-in ceremonies. Bukokho LC3 Chairperson John Weskasa called for the creation of additional sub-counties to improve service delivery, citing population pressure.
Bumbo Town Council Chairperson Joseph Kamuli pledged to improve street lighting to enhance security and support nighttime business operations.Bukiabi Sub County LC3 Chairperson Simon Wanyonyi Chama promised to intensify efforts against cross-border cattle theft along the Kenya border.
Lwakhakha Town Council LC3 Chairperson Swaibu Waninda pledged to improve cleanliness and boost local revenue collection, noting the town’s strategic border location. Namisindwa District LCV Chairperson Emma Bwayo urged all newly sworn-in leaders to focus on service delivery, and fulfil campaign promises aimed at improving the district’s development-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
