Masindi LCV boss drops his deputy after three weeks in office
Wobusobozi has since appointed Bright Mugume, the councillor representing Kimengo sub-county and his initial secretary for Production and Technical Services, as his new Vice Chairperson.
Masindi district new LCV Chairperson, Patrick Wobusobozi. (Photo by Yosam Gucwaki)
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Masindi's New LCV Chairperson, Patrick Wobusobozi, has removed his Vice Chairperson, Cleophas Bigirwa, whom he had appointed on May 20, during the swearing-in ceremony at the Masindi district headquarters.
Wobusobozi has since appointed Bright Mugume, the councillor representing Kimengo sub-county and his initial secretary for Production and Technical Services, as his new Vice Chairperson.
In the same reshuffle of his executive members, Nelda Asaba, the councillor for Bwijanga sub-county and Bulima town council, was moved from Secretary for Finance to Secretary for Production.
A section of Masindi councilors attending the extraodinary council meeting. (Photo by Yosam Gucwaki)
Simon Byaruhanga, the councillor for Pakanyi sub-county who lost the speakership race on the NRM ticket, was appointed Secretary for Finance and Administration and William Mwambu, the councillor representing Persons with Disabilities, retained his position as Secretary for Social Services.
These changes were made during an extraordinary council meeting held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, which focused on two items: executive changes and the appointment of a chairperson and one commissioner to the District Service Commission (DSC), which had been non-functional for six months.
Before the council business began, District Council Speaker Patrick Tibigambwa questioned Wobusobozi about the swiftness of the executive changes.
Wobusobozi explained that he had appointed Cleophas Bigirwa as his Vice Chairperson during his swearing-in, unaware that he lacked the required academic qualifications.
Simon Byaruhanga, the councillor for Pakanyi sub-county who was appointed Secretary for Finance and Administration. (Photo by Yosam Gucwaki)
The LCV Vice Chairperson position requires a minimum of a Senior Six certificate or its equivalent.
"When we were asked to present our particulars to access the payroll, I discovered that one of my members lacked the qualifications. His appointment was an error or an oversight, and he couldn't continue in that office. That's why I informed the Speaker to convene an extraordinary council to make adjustments and reorganise the house," Wobusobozi stated.
Wobusobozi confirmed that he and the Chief Administrative Officer, Samuel Kaija Ruhweza, had reviewed the documents.
Kaija also affirmed to the council that the papers did not appear to be equivalent to a Senior Six certificate, the minimum requirement for the office.
Speaking to the New Vision, Bigirwa disputed the decision, insisting that he possesses the necessary academic papers for the office.
He criticised the verification process, arguing that the National Council of Education should have been petitioned to verify his academic documents.
"I was appointed and sworn in, and no one raised a red flag. They should have followed the right procedure to remove me from office because I was appointed and approved by the same council," he said, adding that he is seeking legal guidance on his next course of action.
Bigirwa expressed his frustration, stating he would not passively accept this, as the Chairperson's action would kill his career.
"I have an equated Senior Four certificate and also a certificate in public administration, which I attained while I was the LCIII Chairperson for Karujubu division. How can someone be removed from office before even assuming it? This has discredited me. At least the District Chairperson would have switched me from Vice Chairperson to another docket rather than completely dropping me," a furious Bigirwa explained.
He also raised concerns about the district leadership being solely comprised of independent members, noting that the District Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and District Speaker are all independent. "Where is this leaving the NRM party?" Bigirwa questioned.
Cleophas Bigirwa who was dropped as Vice Chairperson. (Photo by Yosam Gucwaki)
During the same council meeting, the District Service Commission was also filled after being non-functional for six months.
Adolf Kato, the former Deputy District Education Officer of Masindi, was appointed as the Chairperson of DSC, and Sharif Kahwa, a former head teacher, was appointed and approved as the representative to the commission from the urban entities.
Following the swearing-in ceremony on May 20, 2026, Muslim leaders in Masindi district, affiliated with the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, expressed dissatisfaction over their exclusion from key leadership positions within the Masindi district local government.
Khalifan Balikagira, the secretary for Masindi Muslim district, argued that when the LCV chairperson for Masindi district was sworn in and nominated his executive on May 20, 2026, Muslims were completely left out, a departure from the past decade.
“That executive, which you call balanced, has a core leadership team of seven key positions, including yourself as Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and the other executive members, yet not a single Muslim is among them,” Balikagira stated in a press release issued after the executive was announced and the council speaker elected.
Balikagira considered this deeply unfair, adding that Wobusobozi's approach to these appointments was not equitable to the Muslim community.
“We have been completely excluded from the top decision-making organs of this district, and by extension, our Muslim brothers and sisters in Buliisa district as well. As a result, the Muslim community across Masindi and Buliisa is not happy with you at all. We remain offended by your actions and your disregard for our inclusion. Therefore, we state clearly that we will not support your ideas or your leadership direction going forward,” Balikagira added in the statement.