Kabale District’s proposed budget hangs in the balance following a heated disagreement between the District Speaker, Flavia Kanagizi Nyinakiiza, and District Chairman Nelson Nshangabasheija during Thursday’s council sitting.
The council session turned dramatic after lunch break when Speaker Nyinakiiza called on Nshangabasheija to lay the budget. Upon taking the podium, Nshangabasheija declined to present the budget, accusing the Speaker of blocking the approval of key committees, namely the District Public Accounts Committee and the District Land Board.
Earlier in the day, Nyinakiiza had suspended the council for ten minutes after Nshangabasheija refused to leave the podium, insisting that the names of committee members be approved before he stepped down.
The proposed members of the Public Accounts Committee included Rev. Kayongwe Robert Basherura, Grace Twinobuhungiro, Rwaributware Doniti, Musiimenta Bernadette, and Katooma Kayogooza Timothy. For the District Land Board, nominees included Counsel Justus Muhangi as chairperson, Robert Rwamuhanda, Vastina Tusiime Beyendera, and Peace Baryajunaki.
However, Speaker Nyinakiiza resisted the presentation, suspending the approval process and citing procedural breaches. She noted that the nominees had not been tabled as a formal motion, as required by council rules, and referred the names back to committee for scrutiny.
The exchange between Nshangabasheija and Nyinakiiza escalated, prompting the Speaker to abruptly adjourn the council. Nshangabasheija, visibly frustrated, insisted the names must be approved, pointing out that they had been rejected three times previously. He also reiterated his refusal to lay the budget under the current circumstances.
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The dispute has sparked debate among councilors. Kahungye Sub-County Councilor Champion Baker Turyamureba criticized the Speaker’s decision, noting that the council’s term is nearing its end and committees will not have enough time to review the nominees.
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Central Division Councilor Leopold Twesigye described the Speaker’s actions as dictatorial, arguing that overruling the council’s decision has delayed the formation of critical committees, which has, in turn, affected service delivery in the district.
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Nyinakiiza, however, stood firm, stating that the nominees cannot be approved due to missing supporting documents, including minute extracts and CVs for the proposed members. She warned that the failure by Nshangabasheija to lay the budget could cost Kabale District between Shs 20–30 million to convene an extraordinary council meeting for budget approval.
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The impasse leaves laying of Kabale District’s Shs 55 billion budget uncertain, as both the Speaker and District Chairman remain at a stalemate.
