A heated disagreement erupted at the inaugural sitting of the new Mubende District Council after councillors clashed over whether members of the District Executive Committee should take part in electing leaders of various standing committees, culminating in a dramatic suspension of proceedings and police intervention.
The standoff escalated as tensions rose inside the council chambers, with security personnel deployed to maintain order. By the end of the session, no standing committee leaders had been elected, leaving the council’s leadership structure incomplete at its first sitting.
The meeting began with the swearing-in and formal appointment of members of the District Executive Committee by District Chairperson Michael Ntambi. The executive team includes Vice Chairperson Moses Kagambagye, Margaret Navubya in charge of Gender and Health, Kiiza Wilber for Finance, and Patrick Muhwezi for Agriculture.
Trouble emerged when council moved to the election of standing committee leaders. A section of councillors opposed Chairperson Ntambi’s position that executive committee members should also participate in the voting process.
Speaker Fred Balongo defended the approach, saying it was grounded in law. “The law governing local governments allows members of the executive committee to take part in the election of committee leaders. We are simply following the law,” he told councillors.
However, several councillors strongly disagreed, arguing that executive participation would compromise fairness and the independence of committee structures. One councillor said, “We cannot allow executive members to participate in this process because it compromises fairness and the independence of the committees.”
The disagreement intensified when the names of executive committee members were read out to begin voting, prompting chaos as some councillors reportedly grabbed the ballot box, forcing an abrupt halt to the election process.
Councillor Joseph Agaba said the confrontation stemmed from differing interpretations of the law. “The disagreement stems from differing legal interpretations. Councillors believe the process should be handled differently to avoid conflicts of interest,” he explained.
As tensions escalated, Chairperson Ntambi proposed seeking guidance from the Mubende Chief Magistrate’s Court. However, Mubende Chief Administrative Officer Doreen Kakusuma cited provisions of the Local Governments Act and appeared to support the councillors opposing executive participation in the vote.
“We need legal guidance to ensure that whatever decision is taken is in line with the law,” Ntambi said.
Kakusuma added, “The law must be interpreted correctly and applied fairly to avoid unnecessary disputes.”
The disruption forced Speaker Balongo to adjourn the council sitting for 15 minutes in an attempt to restore order.
Outside the chambers, councillors openly accused the Speaker of being influenced by unnamed individuals, while others warned that failure to reconsider his position would deepen divisions within council.
“The Speaker should remain impartial and guide council according to the law, not according to pressure from interested parties,” Councillor Sandra Kiwobudde said.
“If he does not change his approach, these misunderstandings will continue to divide council,” Councillor Anthony Guma added.
Some councillors further questioned the Speaker’s grasp of procedure, with Councillor Emmanuel Nsengiyunva stating, “The actions we witnessed today suggest that the Speaker does not fully understand the implications of the decisions he is making.”
When the 15-minute adjournment elapsed, Speaker Balongo announced that the election of committee leaders had been postponed pending further consultation with government legal advisors.
As a result, Mubende District Council adjourned without electing leaders for its standing committees, leaving a key governance process unresolved at the very start of its term.