📸 Lord Mayor Balimwezo, City councillors sworn in

KAMPALA - Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga was sworn in on Wednesday (May 20), alongside 34 Lord Councillors at City Hall in Kampala.

Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ritah Kidasa was the Commissioner for Oaths for the swearing-in ceremony, with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director Sharifah Buzeki, in attendance, among other officials.

Balimwezo, the former Nakawa East Member of Parliament, replaced the former Erias Lukwago, who has been the political head of KCCA for 15 years.

Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga (R) takes oath as the Kampala Lord Mayor alongside Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director Sharifah Buzeki (L). (All Photos by Simon Peter Tumwine)

In his opening remarks, Balimwezo praised Lukwago for the success.

“I want to give back glory to the almighty God for that he gave me clarity. Parliament is a fertile place to serve in, but I had to come and offer myself to serve the people of Kampala,” Balimwezo said.

He revealed that, as he served as the MP for Nakawa East, one of his supporters told him that Kampala needs a Ssalongo here.

In his opening remarks, Balimwezo praised Lukwago for the success.

“Many people were telling me that Kampala needs a Ssalongo and two months to the national elections, I was blessed with twins,” Balimwezo said, adding that he has served in a number of positions as a leader of the community.

He revealed that he had invited a number of leaders to turn up for the swearing-in ceremony, but due to the Ebola outbreak in the country, many were stopped, and others were blocked from accessing the swearing-in premises.

Balimwezo commended his wife for her constant belief, trust and faith, adding that his parents did not make it to the swearing ceremony because both of them are bedridden and sick.

Ever since the murder of the four toddlers by Okello in Ggaba, Balimwezo revealed that he has been having high blood pressure and has been bedridden for close to four months.

“I am the Lord mayor, and I am appointed by God. For those who didn’t believe in me, it's time to start believing in me and know that I am the Lord Mayor. Many of you didn’t believe that I could uproot former Kampala city boss Elias Lukwagi, who has been the Lord Mayor for 15 years,” Balimwezo said.

Chief Magistrate Kidasa said that the swearing in of the new KCCA leadership is the commencement of a new tenure of leadership at KCCA, adding that today’s ceremony marks a significant milestone in the governance and administration of our capital city.

“As we formally usher you into office, you are entrusted with serving the people of Kampala,” Kidasa said.

Kidasa noted that the swearing-in ceremony is being conducted in accordance with the Constitution of Uganda, the Local Governments Act and the KCCA Act, which provide for the administration of oath and the lawful assumption of office by all elected leaders.

Kidasa appealed to the newly sworn-in councillors and lord mayor to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, accountability, impartiality and dedication to public service, adding that the people of Kampala have entrusted the leaders with leadership and they are expected to uphold the rule of law.

Below is a picture highlight captured by Simon Peter Tumwine from the ceremony as several KCCA councillors took their oath

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The ceremony saw Balimwezo sworn in alongside 34 councillors.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director Sharifah Buzeki and Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ritah Kidasa arrive at the swearing ceremony venue.

Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ritah Kidasa is the Commissioner for Oaths for the swearing-in ceremony.

Kampala Lord Mayor-elect Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga and his wife arrive for the swearing ceremony at  City Hall in Kampala, alongside former Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, also the Member of Parliament for the Nakawa West, and National Unity Platform's (NUP) spokesman.

National Unity Platform's (NUP) Shamim Nambassa sworn in as the Woman Lord Councillor LC5 for Kawempe South.

NUP's Umar Magala Umar sworn in as the Lord Councillor for Kawempe North II.