Enock Ndyamuhakyi | Tayari News
Independent candidate Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha has officially been sworn in as the Mayor of Kabale Municipality for a third consecutive term, ushering in the 2026–2031 political leadership term with renewed pledges for infrastructure development and improved service delivery.
The swearing-in ceremony for 27 councillors, including Mayor Byamugisha, was held at Kabale Municipal Stadium and presided over by the Kabale Chief Magistrate, His Worship Derrick Byamugisha.
Byamugisha secured victory in the recently concluded mayoral elections after polling 8,270 votes. His closest challenger, Sam Arinaitwe, garnered 5,292 votes, while Ian Ronald Mugisha received 203 votes and Evarist Hussein Monday polled 94 votes.
Speaking shortly after taking oath, Byamugisha pledged to continue lobbying for government-funded development projects aimed at transforming Kabale Municipality and improving service delivery to residents.
The mayor revealed that another major infrastructure initiative under the Uganda Support to City Infrastructure Development Programme is already in the pipeline and is expected to benefit the municipality.
According to Byamugisha, the upcoming project will focus on upgrading road infrastructure within the municipality, with several roads in Bugongi, Kirigime, and Nyabikoni wards expected to be tarmacked.
He said improved road networks would ease transport and business operations, enhance urban development, and attract investment into Kabale Municipality.
Byamugisha also used the occasion to call on the central government to increase funding allocated to local governments, arguing that most development work and service delivery are implemented at the grassroots level.
He noted that local governments continue to face financial constraints despite being responsible for overseeing government programmes, infrastructure projects, sanitation, health services, education, and urban management.
“Development is achieved through activities carried out at the community level and not only through discussions in Parliament,” Byamugisha said, adding that local governments require more financial support to effectively serve the population.
The mayor further called for intensified efforts in the fight against corruption, describing corruption as one of the biggest obstacles to national development.
He expressed concern over the continued loss of public funds through corruption scandals, saying such resources could significantly transform communities if properly invested in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other public services.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Rubanda West County, Hon. Bruce Kabasa Baraba, called on government to reform and strengthen Uganda’s education system in order to improve learning standards and reduce school dropout rates.
Kabasa argued that the current education system focuses heavily on national examinations instead of practical understanding and continuous learning, which he said disadvantages many learners, especially those in rural schools.
He proposed reforms that would allow teachers to play a greater role in assessing learners, noting that teachers better understand the abilities and challenges faced by their students.
Kabasa warned that Uganda’s ambition of attaining middle-income status may not be realized without a strong and practical education system capable of producing skilled citizens.
The State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, commended residents of Kabale Municipality for conducting peaceful elections and electing leaders committed to development.
Musasizi revealed that government plans are underway to rehabilitate traditional schools across the Kigezi region in a bid to improve education standards and learning infrastructure.
He explained that many old government-aided schools in the region require renovation and upgrading to provide a better learning environment for students.
The ceremony attracted several political leaders, local government officials, religious leaders, and residents from across Kabale Municipality.
# Sentaro Sworn In for Third Consecutive Term as Kabale Municipality Mayor
**KABALE** — Independent candidate Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha has officially been sworn in as the Mayor of Kabale Municipality for a third consecutive term, marking the beginning of the 2026–2031 political leadership term.
The swearing-in ceremony for 27 councillors, including Mayor Byamugisha, was held at Kabale Municipal Stadium and presided over by the Kabale Chief Magistrate, His Worship Derrick Byamugisha.
Byamugisha secured victory in the recently concluded mayoral elections after polling 8,270 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Sam Arinaitwe, who garnered 5,292 votes. Other candidates trailed significantly, with Ian Ronald Mugisha receiving 203 votes while Evarist Hussein Monday secured 94 votes.
Speaking shortly after taking oath, Byamugisha pledged to continue lobbying for development projects aimed at transforming Kabale Municipality and improving service delivery to residents.
The mayor revealed that another major infrastructure initiative under the Uganda Support to City Infrastructure Development Programme is already in the pipeline and expected to benefit the municipality.
According to Byamugisha, the upcoming project will focus on upgrading road infrastructure within the municipality, with several roads in Bugongi, Kirigime, and Nyabikoni wards expected to be tarmacked.
He noted that improved road networks would ease transport and business activities, boost urban development, and attract investment into the municipality.
Byamugisha also called on the central government to increase funding allocated to local governments, arguing that most service delivery and development work is implemented at the grassroots level.
The mayor said local governments continue to face financial challenges due to limited funding from the central government, a situation he noted is affecting service delivery and slowing development in districts and municipalities across the country.
According to Byamugisha, local leaders are tasked with overseeing the implementation of government programmes, infrastructure projects, sanitation, education, healthcare services, and urban management, yet the resources allocated to local governments remain inadequate.
“Development is achieved through activities carried out at the community level and not only through discussions in Parliament,” Byamugisha said, adding that local governments require increased financial support to effectively serve the population.
The mayor further called for intensified efforts in the fight against corruption, describing corruption as one of the biggest obstacles to national development.
He expressed concern that large sums of public funds continue to be lost through corruption scandals, depriving communities of resources that would otherwise be invested in roads, education, healthcare, water supply, and urban development.
Byamugisha emphasized the need for accountability and transparency among public officials to ensure that public resources directly benefit citizens.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Rubanda West County, Hon. Bruce Kabasa Baraba, called on government to urgently reform and strengthen Uganda’s education system in order to improve learning standards and reduce school dropout rates across the country.
Kabasa said many learners continue to drop out of school before completing their studies despite government efforts to promote education, something he described as a major challenge to the country’s social and economic development.
He criticized the current education structure, particularly at the primary level, arguing that it places too much emphasis on national examinations instead of practical understanding and continuous learning.
Kabasa proposed reforms that would allow teachers to play a bigger role in assessing learners, noting that teachers who directly interact with pupils better understand their strengths, weaknesses, and learning abilities.
The legislator warned that Uganda’s ambition of becoming a middle-income country may not be fully achieved without establishing a strong and practical education system capable of producing skilled and competent citizens.
Meanwhile, the State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, commended residents of Kabale Municipality for conducting peaceful elections and electing leaders committed to development.
Musasizi revealed that government plans are underway to rehabilitate traditional schools across the Kigezi region as part of efforts to improve education standards and school infrastructure.
He explained that many old government-aided schools in the region require renovation and upgrading to provide a better learning environment for learners.
The ceremony attracted several political leaders, local government officials, religious leaders, supporters, and residents from across Kabale Municipality.