Ndyomugyenyi vows to end selective promotions in Kabale district

KABALE - Kabale district’s newly elected LC5 chairperson, Denis Ndyomugyenyi Nzeirwe, has vowed to crack down on corruption and end selective promotions in the district public service, saying the practices have weakened morale among civil servants and undermined service delivery.

Ndyomugyenyi made the remarks as he and 36 newly elected councillors were officially sworn into office at the district headquarters grounds in a ceremony presided over by Kabale chief magistrate Derrick Byamugisha.

Ndyomugyenyi, the former deputy resident district commissioner for Rukungiri and Kabale districts, emerged victorious after defeating Nelson Nshangabasheija in both the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries and the general elections.

According to the final election results, Ndyomugyenyi polled 44,511 votes, representing 60.26% of the total votes cast, while the incumbent, Nelson Nshangabasheija, came second with 27,586 votes, representing 37.35%.

Other contenders included Stephen Jack Habimana Rupiha, who garnered 1,280 votes, representing 1.73%, and Donozio Banga Owomugisha, who secured 489 votes, representing 0.66%.

In his maiden speech as LC5 chairperson, Ndyomugyenyi said corruption remains one of the biggest challenges affecting the district, warning that his administration will not shield any official implicated by the Inspector General of Government or the Auditor General.

He noted that corruption consumes public resources and frustrates service delivery and development projects, arguing that every coin lost through corruption denies residents access to essential services such as roads, healthcare and agricultural extension services.

Ndyomugyenyi also described poverty as the district’s biggest enemy and called upon leaders and residents to embrace unity, cooperation and collective responsibility in improving livelihoods and fighting corruption.

He pledged to champion the rights of pensioners to ensure the timely payment of their benefits, saying many retirees have suffered unnecessary delays for years. 

The newly sworn-in LC5 chairperson promised to focus on practical service delivery rather than political rhetoric, with priority areas including road infrastructure, health services and education standards across the district.

Among his education initiatives, Ndyomugyenyi revealed plans for the district to procure a printing machine that will be used to print primary school examinations free of charge in a bid to improve academic performance and reduce cases of learners being sent home over examination fees.

He also urged councillors to use the authority entrusted to them responsibly and to remember the voters who elected them into office.

Moments after the swearing-in ceremony, councillors convened in the district council hall to elect the district speaker in a contest that exposed divisions within the ruling NRM party.

Baker Turyamureeba, the councillor representing Kahungye subcounty, defied an NRM resolution endorsing Flavia Nyinakiiza Kanagyizi, the female councillor representing Kaharo subcounty, for the speaker position and contested as an independent candidate.

While canvassing for support, Turyamureeba argued that he was the best candidate to unite the district council and strengthen cooperation among leaders.

However, after a heated vote involving 36 councillors, Nyinakiiza emerged victorious with 21 votes against Turyamureeba’s 12 votes, while one councillor abstained. Chief magistrate Derrick Byamugisha later officially declared Nyinakiiza the duly elected speaker of Kabale District Council.

Meanwhile, Bikorwamuhangi Moses, the councillor representing Maziba subcounty in Ndorwa East, pledged to cooperate with fellow leaders to promote development in the area.

He noted that Maziba subcounty continues to face challenges of poor roads due to its hilly terrain, explaining that heavy rains frequently wash away roads and disrupt transport. He nevertheless pledged to work together with the relevant authorities to improve road infrastructure in the subcounty.

Collins Kahese, the elected workers’ representative for Kabale Municipality, together with Twakiire Nelson, a councillor representing Central Division, also pledged to fulfil promises made during the election campaigns and work closely with communities to ensure improved service delivery and development across the district.