Byamugisha Begins Third Term Amid Governance Debate in Kabale
Kabale Municipality Mayor Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha has officially begun his third term in office with renewed promises to transform Kabale through infrastructure development, improved service delivery, and economic empowerment programs, even as he raises fresh concerns over what he describes as increasing interference by constitutional oversight bodies.
Byamugisha was sworn in on Thursday at Kabale Municipal Stadium .The ceremony was attended by political leaders, residents, and supporters from across Kabale Municipality. The independent politician, who first won the mayoral seat in 2016 after defeating longtime mayor Dr. Pius Ruhemurana, pledged to use his new mandate to accelerate urban development and strengthen Kabale’s push for city status.
Speaking shortly after taking the oath, the mayor thanked voters for maintaining confidence in his leadership and called for unity among residents and political rivals.
“I am ready to continue serving the people of Kabale with commitment and transparency,” Byamugisha said.
During his previous campaigns Byamugisha promised to modernize roads, expand street lighting, improve sanitation, and support household income projects such as poultry keeping, piggery, and vegetable farming. He also reiterated plans to lobby government for Kabale Municipality to attain city status, arguing that the fast-growing urban center has the potential to become a major economic hub in southwestern Uganda.
However, even as he embarks on another term, the mayor has found himself at the center of a governance dispute involving powerful constitutional institutions.
The mayor used the same event to appeal to Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to intervene in what he termed the “overreach” of agencies such as the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC). The mayor argued that some directives issued by the institutions are frustrating local government operations and undermining elected leaders.
His remarks followed a dispute involving a compensation claim reportedly worth Shs1.92 billion, where Kabale Municipality was directed by the IGG to settle the liability following investigations.
Byamugisha questioned the manner in which constitutional bodies handle local government matters, saying some of their actions interfere with administrative independence and delay service delivery to residents.
He further appealed to Gen. Muhoozi, who also chairs the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), to support reforms aimed at streamlining the powers of oversight institutions and protecting local governments from what he described as unfair intimidation.
The remarks have sparked mixed reactions among political observers and residents. While some leaders insist institutions like the IGG and EOC are critical in promoting accountability and equal service delivery, others argue that there is need for a clearer balance between oversight and the autonomy of elected local governments.
Despite the controversy, Byamugisha’s supporters maintain that his re-election reflects public confidence in his leadership and ongoing development initiatives within Kabale Municipality.
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