MUKONO_UGANDA/NEWSDAY: Mr. George Stanley Muwonge a P.3 dropout has been elected as the new deputy speaker of Mukono district.
The seat became vacant following the resignation of the former deputy speaker Robert Mwesigwa Ssentongo over unknown reasons.
Muwonge, who represents Kyampisi sub-county, secured 24 votes, defeating Isaac Kitongo, a procurement and supply chain management graduate from Makerere University, who garnered 16 votes. His victory is attributed to his affiliation with the National Unity Platform (NUP), which has the majority of councilors in the district.
Muwonge studied at Kyampisi CoU primary school and has served as a councilor in Kyampisi sub-county for ten years. Kitongo, who ran as an independent candidate, joined the council after failing to secure the NUP flag to represent Koome sub-county islands. He currently works as a mentor under the Dreams Project at World Vision and previously served as the youth chairperson at Koome islands.
During the council session, Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze suggested that the speaker declare Muwonge unopposed, as the name of his competitor had been mispronounced as ‘Kitongwa’.
“I have failed to get the name of the person who has been nominated, he does not exist in this council. Is it procedurally right to declare Muwongo unopposed?” Nambooze suggested. However, the speaker declined to rule on the matter.
To ensure that each candidate had a fair opportunity to express themselves, the speaker suspended the standard rules of procedure. Muwonge was allowed to deliver his campaign speech in Luganda, while his competitor spoke in English.
Muwonge promised to work with all irrespective of political affiliations and said his 10-year experience in the council will come in handy during the execution of his duties.
The speaker and deputy speaker are elected by the council from among themselves. The speaker’s role includes presiding over council meetings, maintaining order, and enforcing the council’s rules of procedure, all aimed at strengthening accountability and improving public service delivery to citizens.
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