- Summary:
- The decision sparked a one-hour protest from a section of councilors, who demanded procedural clarification from Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Hajjat Sharifah Nakintu, the legal custodian of district affairs.
RUKIGA: The Rukiga District Council has unanimously approved Jackline Nkamushaba, the female district councilor representing Muhanga Town Council, as the new Vice Chairman following the dismissal of the previous Vice Chairman, Samuel Niwandinda, who was sacked by District Chairman Robert Mbabazi Kakwerere over allegations of insubordination and violating the oath of allegiance.
Nkamushaba’s approval came on Wednesday when Chairman Kakwerere presented her to the council for endorsement. This move occurred barely two months after Niwandinda publicly criticized Kakwerere over service delivery issues.
However, the decision sparked a one-hour protest from a section of councilors, who demanded procedural clarification from Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Hajjat Sharifah Nakintu, the legal custodian of district affairs.
The protesting councilors, including Godfrey Mukuru (Muhanga Town Council), Elly Katabazi (LC5 councilor for Kamwezi Sub-county), Brenda Ainembabazi (female district councilor for Bukinda Sub-county), Amed Bende (Mparo Town Council), and Adrine Tumukunde (female workers councilor), among others—argued that Kakwerere had no authority to overturn the appointment of Niwandinda, which had been initially approved by a two-thirds majority of the District Council.
CUE IN COUNCILORS……ON THE PROTEST…….ENG//
In response, CAO Nakintu guided the council, citing Section 20(a) of the Local Government Act, which grants the District Chairman the authority to revoke the appointment of a committee member. She also referred to Section 24 of the Interpretation Act, which empowers the Chairman to appoint, remove, suspend, reappoint, or reinstate officials.
CUE IN CAO NAKINTU…….ON GUIDANCE……ENG//
Niwandinda, who also served as the Secretary for Finance, Planning, and Administration, demanded that Kakwerere clarify the allegations of insubordination against him, insisting that his dismissal was politically motivated.
CUE IN NIWANDINDA……ON THE MATTER……RR//
Defending his decision, Kakwerere stated that he could no longer work with Niwandinda as part of his executive team.
CUE IN KAKWERERE……ON THE DECISION…..RR//
