The interim Rukiga Local Council has elected unopposed Geoffrey Byamugisha as Chairperson. The Kabale District Returning Officer Adam Juma Sheesa, declared Byamugisha elected during the elections held on Monday at Rukiga District Headquarters in Mparo.
The victor was nominated by Eddie Mugisha, councilor representing Rwamucucu Sub County and was seconded by his Kashambya Sub County counterpart, Gaston Muhereza.
The Bukinda and Kamwezi Sub County Woman Councillor Mable Size, also nominated Jackson Muganizi, the Kamweezi Sub county councilor but failed to get anybody to second his nomination.
As a result, the Returning Officer gave Muganizi ten minutes to convince any of the councilors to second his nomination in vain. Following the expiry of the ten minutes, Sheesa declared Byamugisha unopposed.
Muganizi congratulated Byamugisha and also hugged him. However, Byamugisha didn't take oath of office since there was no magistrate to oversee the exercise. Shortly after the elections, Muganizi promised to work with Byamugisha for the good of the new district.
In his acceptance speech, Byamugisha promised to be a team player and ensure key areas like roads, health and education among others are improved.
The interim chairperson will serve for a maximum period of six months, after which elections by universal suffrage shall take place.
Rukiga District that has a surface elevation of 426 square Kilometres comprising of Kashambya, Rwamucucu, Kamwezi and Bukinda sub counties as well as Muhanga and Rukiga town councils. The district has a total population of 102,038 people.
Rukiga, curved out of Kabale, is one of the six new districts that became operational on July 1, 2017. Others are Bunyangabu curved out of Kabarole, Namisindwa curved out of Manafwa, Pakwach from Nebbi, Butebo from Pallisa and Kyotera from Rakai.
