Ssematimba swears in as Rubaga chief
May 28, 2009
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has urged Kampala Mayor Nasser Sebaggala and the new Rubaga Division chairman, Peter Ssematimba, to work together to solve the problem of drainage, roads and water.
By Joyce Namutebi
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has urged Kampala Mayor Nasser Sebaggala and the new Rubaga Division chairman, Peter Ssematimba, to work together to solve the problem of drainage, roads and water.
Addressing hundreds of people at the swearing-in ceremony of Ssematimba yesterday, Museveni urged the incoming chairman to focus on development.
The outgoing acting chairperson, Charles Mulindwa, did not attend the ceremony. A councillor, identified as Hadijja, handed over the instrument of power in a black bag.
Museveni said Ssematimba’s election was a challenge to the Movement. He urged them to use this position to prove that the Movement is capable of managing the city.
Museveni said he would ensure that the money needed to improve the city was available. He also promised to work with Ssematimba to eradicate mosquitoes in the area.
Earlier, Sebaggala had complained about inadequate funding, poor roads and garbage disposal in the city and appealed to the President for funds.
He said roads needed about $500m.
Museveni hailed Sebaggala, saying although he had not joined the ruling NRM party, he had stabilised the city. Sebaggala, a Democratic Party member, was elected as an independent. A former strong critic of the NRM administration, he opted to work with the Government when he was elected mayor in 2006.
Museveni said some people had wanted to make the city a “battle frontâ€, but because Sebaggala is a businessman, he did not have time to waste. He urged the mayor and others to join the NRM.
Museveni added that the problem of Kampala was not lack of money, but planning and cooperation between the local and the central governments.
Museveni hailed the people of Rubaga for “liberating the area from disobedience†and said they would benefit from this.
He said problems arise whenever the people of Kampala elect leaders who do not belong to Movement. As an example, he said he “forgot†the people of Kawempe, a stronghold of the opposition, because there was no one to work with there.
He appealed to Ssematimba not to fight for tenders, saying this is what has killed local governments. But he noted that Ssematimba is not a poor man.
A jovial Ssematimba thanked his supporters and pledged to fulfill his promises. The change needed to improve the living conditions of Rubaga had come, he said.
Rubaga Miracle Centre’s Pastor Robert Kayanja prayed for Ssematimba after he had been sworn in.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has urged Kampala Mayor Nasser Sebaggala and the new Rubaga Division chairman, Peter Ssematimba, to work together to solve the problem of drainage, roads and water.
Addressing hundreds of people at the swearing-in ceremony of Ssematimba yesterday, Museveni urged the incoming chairman to focus on development.
The outgoing acting chairperson, Charles Mulindwa, did not attend the ceremony. A councillor, identified as Hadijja, handed over the instrument of power in a black bag.
Museveni said Ssematimba’s election was a challenge to the Movement. He urged them to use this position to prove that the Movement is capable of managing the city.
Museveni said he would ensure that the money needed to improve the city was available. He also promised to work with Ssematimba to eradicate mosquitoes in the area.
Earlier, Sebaggala had complained about inadequate funding, poor roads and garbage disposal in the city and appealed to the President for funds.
He said roads needed about $500m.
Museveni hailed Sebaggala, saying although he had not joined the ruling NRM party, he had stabilised the city. Sebaggala, a Democratic Party member, was elected as an independent. A former strong critic of the NRM administration, he opted to work with the Government when he was elected mayor in 2006.
Museveni said some people had wanted to make the city a “battle frontâ€, but because Sebaggala is a businessman, he did not have time to waste. He urged the mayor and others to join the NRM.
Museveni added that the problem of Kampala was not lack of money, but planning and cooperation between the local and the central governments.
Museveni hailed the people of Rubaga for “liberating the area from disobedience†and said they would benefit from this.
He said problems arise whenever the people of Kampala elect leaders who do not belong to Movement. As an example, he said he “forgot†the people of Kawempe, a stronghold of the opposition, because there was no one to work with there.
He appealed to Ssematimba not to fight for tenders, saying this is what has killed local governments. But he noted that Ssematimba is not a poor man.
A jovial Ssematimba thanked his supporters and pledged to fulfill his promises. The change needed to improve the living conditions of Rubaga had come, he said.
Rubaga Miracle Centre’s Pastor Robert Kayanja prayed for Ssematimba after he had been sworn in.