Julia Acio elected first female district speaker of Kaberamaido

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Julia Acio, a councillor from Oriamo sub-county, has been elected the new district speaker of Kaberamaido in Uganda's east.

She won by a margin of one vote in a close contest on Thursday, edging out Grace Junior Epiu, who got 12 votes from the 25 councillors.

Acio carried the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag after coming out on top in the party primaries conducted the previous day, beating Moses Eyenyu Enimu of Kobulubulu sub-county.

She becomes the first female district speaker since Kaberamaido was carved out of Soroti in 2001.

Albert Anthony Ejoku being sworn in as the LC5 chairperson of Kaberamaido. (Credit: Michael Onyinge)

Kaberamaido district council is composed of 25 councillors, including the LC5, according to the records provided by district returning officer Stella Modo Koriang.

They include 19 NRM councillors, two of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and four independents.

Kaberamaido Chief Magistrate Patricia Ndagire presided over the swearing-in ceremony.

Acio said she will exercise fairness in her new role.

Barbra Adongo from Okile sub-county retained her position as the deputy speaker.

Two nominees rejected

It is a requirement for the district chairperson to nominate his executive committee members to be approved by the council. Two nominees were approved while another two were rejected.

LC5 chairperson Albert Anthony Ejoku nominated Fredrick Oboi to be his vice and he was overwhelmingly approved by 23 councillors.

Judith Isaa, who represents Kaberamaido town council and Kaberamaido sub-county, was also approved as the secretary for health and social services. She was backed by 19 councillors.

For secretary for finance, planning and administration, Ejoku initially nominated David Ababa, but the nominee was rejected by the majority of councillors (20). Only five voted in his favour.

He then presented Emmanuel Enyenu aka Blue Wine, as the second nominee for works and technical services. Again, the majority of councillors (14) voted against him.

Ejoku asked the council to give him time to consult further, "and come back to the next council to nominate names for the remaining positions. I am sensing that the situation right now is not okay".

Enyenu remained hopeful that the councillors would reconsider their stance and eventually approve him.

'Gender sensitive'

The rise of females to the district speakership has been welcomed.

“The good thing with a woman is that, what it meant to be yes will always be and what is a no remains so. I am happy to see a woman taking such a position," said Vicky Ariao from Otage village in Kobulubulu sub-county.

Middy Akullo said she was happy to see a district council take a decision to have women take both positions of speakership.

“This is an indication that the councillors are gender sensitive and not biased against women," she said.

Grace Lwamaka said she hope the female leaders are supported fully to perform their duties.

Meanwhile, Kaberamaido County MP Alfred Edakasi Elalu Olale urged the councillors to be focused and united. He said the LC5 chairperson needs the support of everyone to inspire the district forwards.

Resident district chairperson Godfrey Nyakahuma said the government was willing to do its part using the available resources and rallied the councillors to be keenly monitor government programmes.