Adjumani councilors sworn-in amid chaos

ADJUMANI - There were chaotic scenes during the swearing-in of councilors for the 5th Adjumani local government council at Adjumani district headquarters.

Moyo Chief Magistrate Monika Amono took floor at just half past noon Friday to preside over the election of the council speaker.

Emmanuel Akuku representing the youth nominated Idro Dominic for Pakele sub-county while Job Mundara of Pachara nominated John Sabuni of Arinyapi sub-county.

This became the sticking point as John Anyanzo of Ciforo sub-county challenged the nomination of Sabuni on grounds that the latter participated in the primary election on the NRM ticket.

But Amono guided that Sabuni has the full rights to participate as a candidate, saying a party constitution cannot bar one from contesting on a multi-party platform.

"In line with the provision of the Local Government Act, John [Sabuni] has all rights to contest," she declared, drawing ululations from the public gallery.

The councilors then proceeded to election at 1:00pm which ended in a stalemate as both candidates got 12 votes each, forcing a re-run.

Chairperson James Leku, who was sworn in earlier, asked for adjournment of the process to allow the councilors caucus on the matter to find a middleground.

The councilors however in the meeting turned rowdy and verbal exchanges ensued between RDC Agnes Ebong and a section of councilors who were protesting her presence in the meeting.

Tempers flared as the RDC attempted to resist leaving the room.

Ebong maintained said she is an ex-officio who has full rights to attend the meeting, a comment that did not go well with some councilors, causing more chaos in the meeting.

It took the intervention of Adjumani East County MP Mark Dulu for the councilors to strike a compromise over who should be the next speaker of Adjumani district council.

Candidate Sabuni then took the floor and announced that they had agreed in a sojourn caucus that he steps down for Idro as he was promised an executive post by the chairman.

Following the announcement, Idro was duly sworn in as the council speaker while the council later unanimously endorsed Emmanuel Akuku as the deputy speaker.

Relatedly, while making his maiden address to the council, the new LC5 chairman Leku asked for unity and pledged improved service delivery in education and health sectors.

His predecessor, Owole Nixon, challenged the new council to steer and fasttrack development agendas that were not completed during his reign.

"I am always at your service in case of need," he offered.

 The 5th Adjumani district council is dominated by the ruling NRM party, with one opposition and independent member.