Enock Ndyamuhakyi | Tayari News
The Kabale District Council sitting, chaired by Speaker Flavia Nyinakyiza Kanagizi, ended prematurely on Thursday after a controversy involving allegations of disorderly conduct, with the LC5 Chairperson, Nelson Nshangabasheija, disrupting the planned proceedings.
The meeting, held at the district Rukiko hall, had been convened for the presentation of the district’s budget estimates for the 2026/2027 financial year. However, the session took an unexpected turn when disagreements emerged as the LC5 Chairperson began presenting names for appointment to the District Public Accounts Committee and the District Land Board.
Council proceedings were initially interrupted when Speaker Kanagizi ruled that the Chairperson had not followed the proper procedural order in tabling the names before the House. This prompted a temporary 10-minute adjournment to allow the Chairperson time to reorganise and present the nominees in line with established council procedures.
It had earlier been agreed that upon resumption, the council would proceed with considering the names after the brief break. However, when the sitting resumed, further confusion arose after the Chairperson failed to formally move a motion to table the proposed members, as required under council rules.
The continued procedural disagreements sparked disorder among council members, creating a tense atmosphere that made it difficult for the session to proceed. Despite efforts to restore order, the situation escalated, ultimately forcing the Speaker to adjourn the council sitting indefinitely.
Speaking to the media shortly after the adjournment, LC5 Chairperson Nelson Nshangabashaija defended the process, stating that the names had already been presented to the council for the third time. He warned that failure to approve the proposed members would significantly affect the functionality of the district.
Nshangabashaija explained that the terms of both the District Land Board and the Public Accounts Committee had already expired, making it urgent for new members to be approved. He emphasised that these bodies play a critical role in governance, oversight, and land management, and that delays in their reconstitution could negatively impact service delivery to the people of Kabale.
In response, Speaker Flavia Nyinakyiza Kanagizi clarified that while the primary purpose of the sitting was to lay the budget estimates for the 2026/2027 financial year, council members had agreed to first handle the approval of the committee nominees.
She noted, however, that the Chairperson did not adhere to the required procedures for presenting the names, prompting the council to refer the matter back to the Finance, Planning, and Investment Committee for further scrutiny.
Kanagizi further explained that the temporary adjournment had been intended to allow the Chairperson to reorganize and properly present the names in accordance with council rules. However, when this did not happen, the resulting confusion and disorder left the chair with no option but to suspend the sitting.
The indefinite adjournment has raised concerns among stakeholders about delays in critical district business, particularly the approval of the 2026/2027 budget and the reconstitution of key oversight and governance bodies.
It remains unclear when the council will reconvene to resume its business and address the pending matters.
