Kanungu Woman Becomes First LC5 Chair

MRS Josephine Kasya has become the first woman to be elected district council chair since the introduction of local councils in the country, reports Grace Matsiko in Kanungu. Kasya was elected unopposed on Thursday as the chairperson for Kanungu, one of the newly created districts. She has been the district vice-chairperson for Rukungiri district council, the parent district of Kanungu. Violent Rujumba from the Electoral Commission supervised the election at Kanungu district headquarters that was witnessed by commissioner Robert Kitariko. Kasya, a teacher, was nominated by Peter Mugisha, a councillor for Kambuga sub-county and was supported by all the 13 members of the electoral college. The directly elected councillors and women councillors representing the sub-counties constituted the college. Kasya was immediately sworn-in by Chief Magistrate Silver Okullu Cohens. She appointed Patrick Rwemisisiro, her vice-chairperson and secretary for defence. Mugisha, who nominated Kasya, was appointed secretary for finance, administration, and planning. Edmund Nturaho was appointed to head the works and general purpose committee while Julius Mbabazi was picked for the social services, education and sports committee. Kasya, who promised to promote education in the remote district and eradicate household poverty, said, "I am extremely happy for the trust you have put in me. I will not let you down." She pledged to promote unity which the councillors showed in picking her unopposed. Ends