Drama as councilors vote out Lukwago

NOV. 25 ,2013

Drama as councilors vote out Lukwago

   

KAMPALA. Controversy and drama yesterday rocked  the process to kick out city lord mayor Erias Lukwago who was eventually impeached by a 29 -3 majority vote .

Despite an early morning court order by High Court Registrar  Fred Waninda halting the process , Kampala Minister Frank Tumwebaze who called the meeting an hour earlier than scheduled  ,went ahead and asked the councilors to vote on the matter .

Three  councils- Sulaiman Kidandala (deputy lord mayor) ,Shifrah Lukwago(DP) and Aidah Nakuya(NRM)voted against the motion .Joseph Mujuzi Lwanga abstained while Bumali Mpindi was absent with apology .

The voting which lasted for about 10 minutes was done by a show of hands .The meeting took 30minutes and out of the seven items on the agenda, five were tackled. The two items that  were ignored included; discussing the tribunal report and a brief from the lord mayor or his representative.

The motion to kick out Lukwago was moved by Baker Sserwamba (NRM)and seconded by Hawa Ndege Namugenyi (FDC) ,Adam Kasiim Kyazze(NRM) and Joyce Achan(NRM). Most of the councilors entered city hall as early as 7am and by 8:45am when the meeting started ,majority were already in their seats .

However, drama erupted in the middle of the council proceedings when councilor leaped up and demanded to make  a point of order  but the minister ignored it .This prompted councilor Allan Ssewanyana Ssewanyana  to shout ‘order’ , ‘order’  to draw the attention of Tumwebaze that there was   a court injunction restraining council from impeaching Lukwago . Ssewanyana lost his cool and moved in front where Tumwebaze was seat and stepped on the table in protest .As a way of trying to restore  order in the council hall, plain-clothed security operatives pounced on Ssewanyana and in the process, the latter sustained injuries on his neck. Kidandala later moved a point of procedure which was granted and read the court order .But  Tumwebaze still ignored this saying , though the court order was signed it had no official seal  “ As far as I know , there is no court order ,” the minister told the meeting . Tumwabaze said after the voting that Lukwago had 21 days to challenge the verdict.

“ At times it is hard to take hard decisions but it could be an order. I appeal to you (councilors ) to guide this legal process. I will seek guidance from the Attorney General for the next course of action .I thank you very much. The assembly is closed ,” he said

Outside the council hall, more drama was also unfolding at the main entrance. Here, Lukwago’ lawyer Abdullah Kiwanuka who was armed with another copy of the court order tried to fight his way into the council hall  but Police officers with the help of plain clothed security operatives under the command of Police boss for Kampala Metropolitan- South James Ruhweza blocked him. He made two more attempts –but all failed. “Kill me if you want but I am here to serve the minister with a court order ,” Kiwanuka shouted as four plain clothed security operatives pounced on him and confiscated the court order. In the ensuing melee ,Kiwanuka’s shirt got torn as security  operatives carried him around City hall compound and later bundled him unto a waiting police pick-up truck  at the main gate. A police officer only identified as Ntugwa  said Kiwanuka was blocked on account that he “could cause chaos” in the hall.

“ If we tell you to wait ,you have to wait .Delivering a court order is not an emergency .Wait for just five minutes,” he said

“ It is quite absurd   that all has been done in total disregard of  the law . We are ex- officio members of this Authority council but hooligans have hijacked the whole process and denied us access,”   said Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebaggala who was in the company of Ken Lukyamuzi (Rubaga South)and Ssebuliba Mutumba(Kawempe South). A section of journalists who were accredited to cover the meeting but were deemed to be ‘unfriendly’ were also blocked.

Despite having police escorts, anti-Lukwago councilors failed to leave city hall and by press time they were still in the council hall

List of councilors who supported motion to kick out Lukwago:

Daudi Lwanga (NRM)

Baker SSerwamba (NRM)

 Sarah Muwayire (NRM)

Emmy Barbirye(NRM)

Apollo Mugume (NRM)

Daria Nanyange (NRM)

Joyce Achan(NRM)

Hope Tumushabe (NRM)

 Adam Kasiim Kyazze (NRM)

Elijah Owobusingye (NRM)

Madinah Nsereko (NRM)

Hamidah Namukasa (NRM)

 Bernard Luyiga(DP)

John Muwanguzi  (NRM)

Margret  Tumwesigye (NRM)

Adam Kibuuka (NRM)

Godfrey Asiimwe (NRM)

Alfred Ntambazi (NRM)

Bruhan Byaruhanga (Independent)

Verna Mwinganisa Mbabazi(Independent )

Eng.Karuma Kagyina(Independent )

Dr Denson Nyabwana (Independent )

Frank Kanduho(Independent)

Angella Kigonya(DP)

Zahara Luyirika (DP)

Margret Kikyowa (DP)

Henry Lukwago (FDC)

Hawa Ndege Namugenyi(FDC)

Votes against motion

1- Aidah Nakuya(NRM)

2- Sulaiman Kidandala(DP)

3- Shifrah Lukwago(DP)

 1-Joseph Mujuzi Lwanga(DP)(abstained due to ill health )

Absent :

1-Allan Ssewanyana (independent) (locked out over alleged misconduct)

2-Mpindi Bumali (NRM)(absent with apology)