By Our Reporter
NAMISINDWA
Councillors in Namisindwa District who lost in the recently concluded LC5 elections boycotted a council session held on Thursday, 26th March 2026, which had been convened to adopt draft budget estimates for the 2026/2027 financial year at the district headquarters.
Out of the 54 district councillors elected in 2021, nine have since joined the civil service, 12 were re-elected, and 21—including the district chairperson—lost their seats. Most of those who lost did not attend the council session, claiming they no longer had any business in council after their defeat.
Alex Molokoye, the councillor for Bukiabi Sub-county and Chairperson of the Social Services Committee; Martha Muyama, the Female Councillor for Bumbo Town Council and Secretary for Social Services who was designated to represent the Secretary for Finance in presenting the budget estimates; and James Bwayo, the councillor for Namabya and Vice Chairperson, all of whom lost their re-election bids walked out of the council session on Thursday afternoon. They argued that their responsibilities to voters had ended with the election results. Their walkout was seen as an attempt to frustrate the budgetary process, which is a legal requirement with a strict deadline.
District Speaker, Dorothy Walukawu, who also lost her seat, said personal political setbacks should not interfere with fulfilling legal obligations. She emphasized that there is life after elections and urged fellow councillors to accept defeat and move forward.
Peter Masayi, the councillor for Namboko and former Secretary for Finance and Administration under the previous leadership of Hon. Wopuwa, noted that despite losing elections, he continued to serve until the end of his term. He criticized the outgoing councillors’ actions, describing them as unfair attempts to frustrate the incoming leadership. He stressed that the budget is meant to serve the people of Namisindwa and should not be undermined.
Following consultations with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the council resolved to nominate Bernard Namaande, councillor for Magale and a member of the Finance and Administration Committee, to present the budget on behalf of the District Chairperson.
The council subsequently laid a total budget estimate of UGX 42,625,164,010 for the 2026/2027 financial year. The education sector received the largest allocation of UGX 18.9 billion, followed by administration with UGX 8.1 billion and health with UGX 6.6 billion, among others. The budget is anchored on the theme: “Sustainable service delivery within a healthy and productive environment.”
