Frank Byaruhanga has been re-elected Speaker of Kanungu District and immediately called for unity and cooperation among leaders, saying meaningful development can only be achieved if political divisions are set aside.
Byaruhanga made the remarks shortly after taking oath during a council sitting held at the Kanungu District Council Hall.
“As leaders in Kanungu, we need cooperation and teamwork to effectively lobby for services and accelerate development projects for our people,” Byaruhanga said.
The speaker also appealed to former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi to engage President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on divisions he claimed were being fueled by some senior government officials in the district.
The speakership election was conducted during the swearing-in ceremony of District Chairperson Francis Byamukama Kapesha and all 53 district councilors.
Two candidates contested for the seat: Byaruhanga, the councilor representing Mpungu Sub-county, and Immaculate Birungi, the councilor representing Kirima and Kanungu Town Council.
The race ended in a deadlock after both candidates secured 26 votes each. District Chairperson Kapesha later cast the deciding vote in accordance with constitutional procedures governing council elections.
Kabale Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha subsequently declared Byaruhanga the winner after he secured 27 votes against Birungi’s 26, allowing him to retain the speakership.
During the same sitting, 23-year-old university graduate Kashemeire Comfort, the District Youth Female Councilor, was elected Deputy Speaker after defeating Kyasimire Evelyn by 34 votes to 19.
Leaders at the sitting pledged to work together to strengthen service delivery and support development initiatives across the district.
