Luwero LC5 chairperson Kibirango, deputy RDC Bakunda bicker over power

LUWERO - A war of words has erupted between the Luwero district LC5 chairperson, Erasto Kibirango, and acting Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Abel Bakunda.

Kibirango, who is in office on a National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, accuses Bakunda of usurping his powers as the district political head. Bakunda, on the other hand, accuses Kibirango of undermining his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party mobilisation efforts.

The standoff, which has escalated into open bickering, stems from an incident last week where a group of NRM supporters blocked Opposition Nakaseke South Member of Parliament Paulson Luttamaguzi from attending a road construction launch ceremony, which NRM organised in Luwero.

Bring another RDC

During a special district council session convened on November 23, 2025, to pay tribute to late Luwero RDC Richard Bwabye, Kibirango opened Pandora's Box when he accused Bakunda of inciting the rowdy NRM youth who chased Luttamaguzi from the ceremony.

Kibirango claimed to have Bakunda cheering and jumping in the air as the NRM youth mistreated Luttamaguzi.

"The way he conducted himself manifests that acting RDC Bakunda is just a mobiliser and not an RDC," Kibirango said.

"This is not the calibre of RDC Luwero deserves. He is better suited for places like Karamoja but not here," Kibirango continued with an attack on Bakunda, who was among the over 300 mourners jammed in the district council hall.

The drama unfolded before a full capacity Luwero council hall of mourners, among whom were Luwero Triangle state minister, Alice Kaboyo and the NRM deputy secretary general Rose Namayanja and leaders.

Kibirango said he had already communicated to the dean of RDCs over the need to post another RDC to Luwero ‘for the good of the residents'.

Bakunda's response

When he later took the floor, Bakunda took a swipe at Kibirango, accusing him of fighting the NRM government and claiming credit for NRM achievements.

"Much as you are accusing me of usurping your powers, you should also step up; otherwise, we shall continue to clash," Bakunda said.

A visibly irritated Bakunda also accused the LC5 chairperson of having removed President Museveni's campaign posters, which were pasted on his office door.

"It was not wrong to paste Museveni's posters on the LC5 chairperson's office door. But the chairman wanted the posters to be removed. You should also control yourself Mr Chairman," Bakunda said.

Bakunda defended the incident when NRM supporters blocked Luttamaguzi from attending the road construction launch, saying he had wanted to claim credit for the Government project.

"Luttamaguzi had wanted to take photos at the site to claim that he is the one who did the work, yet it is honourable Namayanja and the Minister (Kaboyo) who mobilised funds from the works ministry," he said.