Kabale District has laid its draft annual work plan and budget estimates of Shs 55,087,150,000 for the 2026/2027 financial year amid tight security, following a standoff between district leaders during a tense council session.
The impasse arose after LC5 Chairperson Nelson Nshangabasheija declined to present the budget, insisting that the council first approve his nominees to the District Public Accounts Committee (DPAC) and the District Land Board.
The council reconvened on Monday afternoon after Speaker Flavia Kanagizi Nyinakiiza suspended last week’s sitting. As proceedings resumed, Butanda Sub-county councillor Gilbert Niwanganyira successfully moved a motion to extend the session beyond the usual 5:00 p.m. adjournment time.
When called upon to table the budget, Nshangabasheija maintained his stance, arguing that the order paper required prior approval of his nominees before any budget presentation could proceed.
However, Speaker Nyinakiiza rejected the position, insisting that the session’s primary agenda was to lay the budget estimates within the legally mandated timeframe.
She cautioned against derailing the process, warning that failure to proceed would create uncertainty for the district, particularly in the wake of Nshangabasheija’s defeat in the recent general elections.
The Speaker briefly suspended the sitting for 10 minutes to allow consultations among councillors.
Tensions remained high during the break, prompting Resident District Commissioner Maj. Godfrey Katamba to deploy police from Kabale Central Police Station to maintain order.
Katamba, alongside his deputy Michael Muramira Kyakashaari and Chief Administrative Officer Robert Mugabe, engaged district officials, including LC5 Vice Chairperson Miria Akankwatsa Tugume, urging her to take charge after Nshangabasheija walked out of the chamber.
Akankwatsa later returned to the Rukiiko Hall and tabled the draft annual work plan and budget estimates in accordance with Section 80(6) of the Local Governments Act, which requires district chairpersons to present draft budgets to council before April 1.
Nyinakiiza subsequently suspended Nshangabasheija from two council sittings, accusing him of inciting confusion among councillors.
