Kalungu District Chairperson Nyombi Mukiibi Kamaadi, a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP), made headlines this week by firing five NUP councilors from the district executive over alleged corruption and replacing them with members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The dramatic reshuffle was announced during a district council meeting convened to pass the fiscal year 2024/2025 district budget.Chairman Kamaadi emphasized that his decisions were motivated by a commitment to serve all residents of Kalungu, regardless of political affiliation.
"I am not the chairperson of NUP, but the chairman for all people of Kalungu," Kamaadi declared. "The constitution gives me the power to make changes in the District executive, and I will exercise that power to ensure effective governance."
Among those dismissed were District Vice Chairperson Ssalongo Gerald Kigundu, who was replaced by NRM councilor Nanyanzi Irene Mweebe from Lukaya Town Council.
The move shocked many in the council, highlighting the abrupt nature of the changes. Additionally, Kamaadi replaced Education Minister Sseremba Kizitto Wavvamuno with NRM’s Kalungu Youth Representative Nakanwaji Sharifah.
The Health Ministry, previously under Kigundu, was reassigned to NRM’s Aisha Namatovu, who was also given the Gender Ministry previously chaired by NUP’s Namuli Maria.
Further restructuring saw the dismissal of Charles Kalyango Mwanje, the minister in charge of works and technical services. Kamaadi took over this position himself, asserting tighter control over crucial district functions.
Vincent Ssekalema, an NRM member, was retained as the secretary for finance, planning, and administration, maintaining some continuity in the district’s financial management.
“The fired individuals are accused of engaging in immoral activities and embezzling funds under my name,” Kamaadi stated during the council meeting.
"When you look into my office, there is President Museveni’s portrait, not Kyagulanyi’s photo. I am therefore a chairperson in the NRM government, not the NUP government, and these NUP councilors shouldn’t think it is a must for them to serve on the District executive."
Kamaadi’s remarks underscored his frustration with the dismissed councilors, whom he accused of undermining his administration through corruption.
“Despite the fact that the fired members were robbing money in my 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,” he explained.
The reshuffle has sparked mixed reactions among Kalungu residents and political observers. Supporters of the move argue that it is a necessary step to combat corruption and ensure effective governance.
Critics, however, see it as a politically motivated purge aimed at consolidating NRM’s influence in the district.In response to the changes, several of the dismissed councilors have denied the corruption allegations, accusing Kamaadi of using them as a pretext to remove political opponents.
