The election of the Kagadi District Speaker and Deputy Speaker has been postponed to June 11, 2026, after disagreements erupted among councilors over the results of the highly contested speakership race held at the district headquarters on Thursday.
The exercise, presided over by Kibaale Chief Magistrate Her Worship Nazifer Namayanja, ended in confusion after none of the candidates attained the required 51 percent vote needed to be declared winner.
According to results announced by the magistrate, Magezi Jamada Francis, the district councilor for Kabamba Sub-county and NRM flag bearer, secured 32 votes, representing 49.2 percent, while independent candidate Vincent Semuga garnered 28 votes, equivalent to 43.07 percent. Out of the 65 votes cast, five were declared invalid.
Namayanja explained that the law requires a candidate to obtain more than 50 percent of the votes cast to be declared winner, prompting the postponement of the election to allow for another vote. The announcement sparked commotion among supporters of both candidates, with Jamada rejecting the decision and insisting he rightfully won the race. He argued that he had actually secured 33 votes, claiming one of his votes was deliberately counted as invalid. Jamada has since threatened to seek legal redress if he is not declared the duly elected Speaker of Kagadi District Council.On the other hand, Semuga welcomed the postponement, saying it gives him more time to mobilize support ahead of the next election. He also claimed that some of the invalid votes belonged to him.
Kagadi District Chairperson Ellygard Tumusiime expressed disappointment over the failure to complete the formation of the district leadership and executive, warning that the delay could affect service delivery at the start of the new term. However, he assured residents that the district executive would soon be constituted to ensure smooth operations.
Retired Sub-county Chief Emmanuel Sentamu urged councilors to respect the law and follow proper procedures while conducting district business, emphasizing the need for unity and lawful leadership to promote effective service delivery.
The postponement came shortly after the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Kagadi District leaders for the 2026–2031 term. A total of 65 district councilors, led by LC5 Chairperson Ellygard Tumusiime, took oath during a ceremony held at Kagadi District headquarters and presided over by Magistrate Namayanja. Tumusiime, who was accompanied by his wife and Parents, was the first to take oath before receiving the instruments of power to begin his term.
He later pledged to improve service delivery and fulfill campaign promises despite challenges arising from the absence of a fully constituted district leadership. Buyaga East MP Stephen Twesige Rulekere called for unity and cooperation between councilors and the district executive, saying teamwork would help leaders effectively deliver services to residents.
Kagadi District Woman MP Margaret Naziwa also urged residents to support the new leaders and pledged to work closely with them to improve social service delivery across the district. While officiating at the swearing-in ceremony, Magistrate Namayanja called on the newly elected leaders to serve residents diligently, promote accountability, and foster development in their areas-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
