By Aaron Okotel
MBALE CITY
Mbale Industrial City Division Council has finally elected heads and vice chairpersons for its key committees, ending delays that had stalled the formation of the committees.
The elections were held on Thursday during the second sitting of the council chaired by the Speaker, Moses Wafula at the former Wanale division building in Mbale city.
The first sitting of the city councilors on July 1st ended in chaos and physical violence after a section of the councilors vehemently opposed the sitting, labeling it illegal due to a violation of notice protocols.
Hon. Wamono Jacob has been elected chairperson of the Education and Health Committee, deputised by Hon. Robina Mukimba.
Hon. Wafuba Muhammed elected chairperson of the Finance and Administration Committee, with Hon. Musisi Musa as his assistant.
Hon. Wandulu Zaidi, elected chairperson of the Works, Natural Resources and Production Committee, while Hon. Mubaje Paul became vice chairperson.
The election of the Works, Natural Resources and Production Committee was characterised by drama after councillors went through three rounds of voting without producing a winner, with the candidates repeatedly tying.
The impasse was eventually resolved after Hon. Wandulu Zaidi agreed to step down in favour of Hon. Mubaje Paul, allowing the committee leadership to be concluded.
A similar arrangement was reached in the Finance and Administration Committee, where Hon. Musisi Musa stepped down to pave the way for Hon. Wafuba Muhammed.
Speaker Wafula described the election process as transparent, saying every councillor had been given an opportunity to exercise their rights.
“The process has been very transparent. That’s why we gave each and every one a chance to exercise his or her rights,” Wafula said.
He urged councillors to put the elections behind them and concentrate on service delivery.
“Now, time for election is done. We need to unite as a house and work for all people,” he said.
The Mayor of Mbale Industrial City Division, Madoi Abdullah, thanked the councillors who stepped down in favour of their colleagues and called for unity among members.
He said divisions within the council during the committee elections could negatively affect residents who depend on the division for services.
“I want us to feel the pain of our division. Because when we come here and fight, we are losing, but our people are the ones who are losing more,” Madoi said.
