The Kanungu District Chairperson Francis Byamukama Kapesha has been sworn into office together with all the 53 district councillors and subsequently the council leadership elected Frank Byaruhanga as the District Speaker and Ms Confort Kashemeire as Deputy Speaker.
The ceremony was conducted in line with established administrative procedures, and was presided over by Kabale Chief Magistrate His Worship Derrick Byamugisha and witnessed by the District Planner, Atuhaire Innocent, who represented the Chief Administrative Officer.
In his remarks after taking the oath of office, Chairperson Byamukama Kapesha pledged to serve the people of Kanungu with commitment and integrity and emphasized priorities including improved service delivery, enhanced infrastructure development, and strengthening unity among all residents of the district.
He further committed to working closely with all political leaders, technical officers, development partners, and communities to ensure coordinated efforts in addressing development challenges and improving livelihoods and also called for cooperation across political and mphasizing dialogue, peaceful engagement, and consensus-building as key pillars of district progress.
Kapesha Byamukama named the District Executive Committee with Rukundo Joshua as District Vice Chairperson, Sabiti Godfrey as Secretary for Social Services that include Education, Health and Gender, Ms Orishaba Elizabeth as Secretary for Finance and Statutory Boards, Agaba Innocent as Secretary for Production and Natural Resources and Ms Lukia Mbabazi as Secretary for Works and Technical Services.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished leaders that included former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi and his wife Hon Jacqueline, Hon Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Hon James Ruugi Kaberuka, RDC Ambrose Mwesigye of Kanungu, religious leaders including Bishop Dan Zoreka and Bishop Sarah of the Pentecostal Church, members of statutory boards.
While speaking at the event as the Chief Guest, the Former Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt Hon John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, has called upon leaders and residents of Kanungu District to embrace unity, cooperation and forgiveness for the development of the district and the entire Kigezi sub-region.
Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi congratulated the newly elected Chairperson, the Speaker and all councilors upon their victory and urged them to put aside political differences and work together for effective service delivery and transformation of the district.
He emphasized the need for forgiveness and cooperation among leaders, saying unity is key in lobbying for government programs and attracting development projects to the area.
Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi further revealed that recently he held discussions with Dr Ruhakana Rugunda together with the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, on how to secure regional markets and promote value addition for minerals in Kanungu District, especially iron ore to attract investors and industries in the area.
He also said leaders are planning to improve the Kigezi sub-region through collective lobbying and teamwork, noting that once leaders become united, more industries will be established and employment opportunities created for residents.
He thanked the people of Kanungu for voting President Yoweri Museveni, saying the continued support for the government will help in extending more development programs to the district.
Meanwhile the Kinkizi West Member of Parliament Hon James Ruugi Kaberuka has urged leaders in Kanungu District to fight corruption and avoid unnecessary quarrels that have caused division within the district and slowed down development.
Hon Kaberuka congratulated the newly elected leaders upon assuming office and reminded them that the people of Kanungu have high expectations from their leadershi and he particularly advised the newly elected Chairperson to uphold integrity, honesty and transparency in all his work in order to fight corruption, which remains one of the biggest challenges affecting service delivery and development in the district.
The legislator emphasized that leaders should focus on issues that unite the people instead of engaging in conflicts and misunderstandings that create division within the district and urged leaders to work together in addressing challenges affecting communities, including poor infrastructure, poverty, and youth unemployment.
Hon Kaberuka further called for unity and cooperation among political leaders, technical staff, and councilors, saying that teamwork is essential if Kanungu District is to achieve meaningful development.
He also encouraged the newly sworn-in leaders to put the interests of the people first and ensure that government resources are properly utilized for the benefit of the community.
In his maiden speech, the newly elected Speaker of Kanungu District Council, Frank Byaruhanga, called for unity and cooperation among leaders in the district, saying development can only be achieved if political divisions are put aside.
He also appealed to the former Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi, to engage President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the need to address divisions allegedly caused by some senior government officials in the district.
According to Byaruhanga, leaders in Kanungu need cooperation and teamwork in order to effectively lobby for services and accelerate development projects in the district.
The speakership race was held during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Kanungu District Chairperson Byamukama Francis Kapeesha, together with entire 53 district councilors and the race attracted two contestants including Frank Byaruhanga, councilor representing Mpungu Sub-county and and Ms Immaculate Birungi, district councilor representing Kirima and Kanungu Town Council.
The election of the Speaker ended in a ‘tie’ after both candidates garnered 26 votes each, prompting the newly elected District Chairperson to cast the deciding vote in line with the constitutional procedures governing council elections.
Byaruhanga was later declared winner by Kabale Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha after securing 27 votes against Immaculate Birungi’s 26 votes, therefore retaining his position as Speaker of Kanungu District Council.
During the first 6th council sitting, 23-year-old recent University graduate Ms Kashemeire Comfort, the District Youth Female Councilor, was elected Deputy Speaker after defeating Kyasimire Evelyn, the District Female Workers Representative after garnered 34 votes while her opponent received 19 votes.
