Rukiga district gets new leadership as councillors challenge appointments

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Simon Mutebi Rwamagyenda has officially been sworn in as the LC5 chairperson for Rukiga district, pledging to prioritise the establishment of a district hospital and improve service delivery during his five-year term.

Rwamagyenda, who contested on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, took the oath of office on May 20, 2026, during a ceremony held at the Rukiga district headquarters. The function was presided over by Kabale chief magistrate Derrick Byamugisha and attended by political leaders, religious leaders, civil servants and residents from different parts of the district.

The new district chairperson emerged victorious in the January 22, 2026, local government elections after polling 21,028 votes, representing 54.05 per cent of the valid votes cast. He defeated his closest rival, independent candidate Michael Kwarikunda Mbareba, who garnered 17,878 votes.

Kwarikunda, a former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) member and former youth councillor, mounted a strong challenge during the race but fell short as Mutebi secured the district’s top political seat.

Shortly after taking the oath alongside newly elected district councillors, Rwamagyenda identified the construction of a district hospital as one of the urgent priorities for his administration.

He noted that residents continue to suffer due to limited access to quality healthcare services, saying the absence of a major health facility has forced many patients to travel long distances in search of treatment.

Rwamagyenda pledged to lobby the government and development partners to ensure Rukiga district secures at least a referral hospital capable of serving the growing population.

He also promised to strengthen accountability and effective service delivery to ensure government programmes directly benefit ordinary residents.

“Our people still face serious challenges in accessing medical services. We need a district hospital to reduce the burden on patients who travel far for treatment,” Rwamagyenda said after the ceremony.

The Woman Member of Parliament for Rukiga district, Dr Sylvia Atuheire Tumuhairwe, welcomed the new leadership and emphasised the need for unity among leaders in addressing development challenges affecting residents.

Dr Tumuhairwe said leaders in the district are prepared to work together to improve healthcare services and other critical sectors.

“Teamwork among leaders will help us address the many challenges affecting our people, especially in the health sector,” she said.

The ceremony also saw the election of district council leadership, with Muhanga workers' councillor Oscar Akampurira re-elected speaker of Rukiga District Council, while Claire Tuherirwe, the female councillor representing Kamwezi B, was elected Deputy Speaker.

In his remarks, Akampurira urged councillors to embrace peaceful dialogue and cooperation during council deliberations.

“We must work together and focus on issues that improve service delivery for the people of Rukiga,” Akampurira said.

However, excitement surrounding the inauguration was briefly overshadowed by chaos during the first sitting of the newly constituted council for the 2026–2031 term after councillors rejected names submitted for the district executive committee.

The disagreement erupted shortly after chairperson Rwamagyenda announced members of his executive team. He appointed Linus Manigamukama, councillor for Rwamucucu subcounty, as vice chairperson; Jorame Niwagaba of Kashambya subcounty as secretary for finance and administration; Gift Stuart Nasasira of Bukinda subcounty as secretary for education and health; and Elly Ampumuza, a councillor from Kamwezi, as secretary for works and technical services.

Chaos erupted during the first council meeting which overshadowed the excitement surrounding the inauguration. (Photo by Nelson Ahimbisibwe)

The appointments immediately attracted criticism from several councillors who argued that the executive lacked gender balance and fair regional representation.

Mparo town council councillor Ahmed Bende questioned why all the appointed executive members were male, saying the composition ignored women leaders in the district.

Speaker Akampurira later sought guidance from the chief administrative officer, Sharifa Nakintu, who ruled that the proposed executive committee was irregular because it did not meet gender representation requirements.

Following the guidance, Rwamagyenda dropped Gift Stuart Nasasira and replaced him with Rwamucucu female councillor Zipora Akampurira.

The changes, however, sparked fresh disagreement among councillors.

Youth male councillor Gilbert Tumuhamireho accused the leadership of favouring Kamwezi subcounty in key appointments while sidelining other areas of the district.

Tumuhamireho argued that Kamwezi already held several influential positions, including the district woman Member of Parliament, the deputy speaker, the Kamwezi A councillor seat and the district chairperson position itself.

The heated debate forced speaker Akampurira to suspend the council sitting for five minutes to allow consultations and restore calm among members.

When the session resumed, chairperson Rwamagyenda made fresh adjustments to the executive committee, reinstating Gift Stuart Nasasira and replacing Elly Ampumuza as secretary for technical services.

The changes eventually restored calm in the council, allowing proceedings to continue.

Despite the disagreements, leaders expressed optimism that the new council would work together to address the district’s development priorities over the next five years, with healthcare, service delivery and accountability expected to dominate the new administration’s agenda.