GIDEON T
The Rukiga district council approves the new Vice Chairman amidst protests from a section of councilors.
This comes after the Rukiga district chairperson, Mbabazi Robert Kakwerere, presented Nkamushaba Jackline, the female district councilor representing Muhanga town council, as the new vice chairperson to replace Samuel Niwandinda, the Rwamucucu LC5 councilor who was revoked in January this year after expressing interest in standing against his boss.
The protest, which lasted for about an hour, involved councilors such as Elly Katabazi, the LC5 councilor representing Kamwezi Sub-county, Godfrey Mukuru representing Muhanga town council, Brenda Ainembabazi, the female district councilor representing Bukinda sub-county, Amed Bende representing Mparo town council, and Adrine Tumukunde, the female workers’ councilor, among others. They demanded procedural guidance from Chief Administrative Officer Hajjat Sharifah Nakintu, as she is the custodian of the law in the district.
The councilors accused Kakwerere of presenting a new name before the council while Samuel Niwandinda had already taken legal action, arguing that his revocation was done unlawfully. They insisted that they could not discuss a matter that was already in the High Court.
The Rukiga district Chief Administrative Officer confirmed that she had received a letter from Niwandinda’s lawyers but directed that the chairperson’s revocation was lawful. She advised the council to proceed and approve the newly appointed vice chairperson.
Samuel Niwandinda said that Kakwerere needs to explain how he was insubordinate to his boss. He argued that his revocation was politically motivated and stated that he would continue with legal action until the people of Rukiga understand that he is clean.
Mbabazi Robert Kakwerere acknowledged that it is Niwandinda’s constitutional right to stand against his boss but argued that it was not right for Niwandinda to claim that Kakwerere had failed, making it impossible for them to continue working together in the executive.
