By Henry Okello
TORORO
The usually busy office of the Tororo Municipality Mayor was subdued today as outgoing mayor Kenneth Orono Nyapidi formally handed over office, ushering in an interim administrative period ahead of the swearing-in of newly elected leaders.
Tears flowed mainly from technical officers who recalled the long hours, heated debates and late-night planning sessions Orono chaired to keep municipal projects on track.
In a brief ceremony, the outgoing mayor transferred key documents, office keys, and custody of council records to Town Clerk Ayub Kisubi, who will act as head of the municipal council until the new mayor and council are sworn in.
The handover included financial records, statutory files, pending contracts, and a note detailing ongoing projects and urgent matters requiring attention.
“Today is not about goodbye, but about ensuring that service delivery does not stop,” Orono said. “I thank the staff, partners and the electorate for their support during my term, and I urge all stakeholders to cooperate with the incoming administration.”
Orono said the handover was designed to “minimise disruption to governance and keep municipal development activities such as health, education and infrastructure programs on track.”
He appealed to the incoming leadership to prioritize projects already underway, including the upgrade of Nyangole and Kasoli health centres and the titling of public land, particularly for Children’s Lion’s Park.
Town Clerk Ayub pledged to maintain stability during the transition. “Our role is to protect public assets, maintain essential services and prepare the district for a smooth assumption of duty by the new leadership,” he said.
Ayub also announced an immediate audit of pending commitments and a review of service delivery priorities to identify urgent interventions.
Local officials and civil servants emphasized the need for unity and nonpartisan administration during the changeover.
Catherine Apero, Tororo Municipal Town Treasurer, thanked the outgoing mayor for defending technical officers against what she called “false accusations levied against them by some people who hate to see Tororo Municipal Council develop.”
“The mayor stood with us when it mattered. We are grateful,” Apero said.
The swearing-in of mayor-elect Bernard Ochieng and the new council is scheduled in the coming days.
Until then, the instruments of office remain with the Town Clerk, who will hand them over during the ceremony as guided by the Ministry of Local Government.
