Kalungu District Chairperson Fires NUP Councilors Over Corruption

Kalungu District Chairperson Nyombi Mukiibi Kamaadi, a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has fired five NUP councilors who were members of the district executive over alleged corruption, replacing them with members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Chairman Nyombi announced the changes in the District Executive during a District council meeting convened to pass the FY2024/2025 District budget.

Nyombi emphasized his role as a leader for all Kalungu residents, irrespective of their political affiliations.

He also told council that the constitution gives him the powers to make changes in the District executive

Among the fired members of the executive were; Ssalongo Gerald Kigundu the District Vice chairperson replacing him is NRM councilor Nanyanzi Irene Mweebe from Lukaya Town Council, a move that surprised many in the council.

He also replaced Education Minister Sseremba Kizitto Wavvamuno with NRM’s Kalungu Youth Representative Nakanwaji Sharifah. Similarly, the Health Ministry, previously held by Kigundu, was handed over to NRM’s Aisha Namatovu who was also assigned the Gender Ministry which was previously chaired by NUP’ Namuli Maria.

He also fired Charles Kalyango Mwanje who was the minister in charge of works and technical services and awarded the office to himself. NRM’s Vincent Ssekalema was retained as the secretary for finance, planning and administration.

“The fired individuals are accused of engaging in immoral activities and embezzling funds under my name. I am not the chairperson of NUP, but the chairman for all people of Kalungu and when you look in into my office there is president Museveni’s portrait not Kyagulanyi’s photo. I am therefore, a chairperson in the NRM government not NUP government and these NUP councilors shouldn’t think that it is a must for them to serve on the District executive.” he stated.

Nyombi added that, despite the fact that the fired member were robbing money in his name, changes were needed in the district executive council to enable other councilors to get funds to work on services in their respective sub counties.

The move has left the NRM leaders and supporters smiling, saying that it is going to help them in implementing the NRM manifesto since they have been prevented by some of the NUP councilors who were members of the executive.

“In addition to the financial misconduct, these changes were necessary to avail other councilors with an opportunity to serve the district better and getting new ideas that will help us in administering the district.” he further explained.

It is alleged that the dismissal of NUP councilors followed a scandal involving money laundering in the name of Chairman Kamaadi Nyombi Mukiibi including constant insults against people with divergent politically ideas.

This happens to be Kamaadi’s second significant reshuffle within a period of one month aiming to address issues of financial mismanagement and to improving the district governance.

The council meeting successfully later passed a budget of over UGX 38 billion for the FY2024/2025, prioritizing education and health.