By Aggrey Twesigye
Newly elected leaders of Mbarara City South Division have officially assumed office following a swearing-in ceremony held at the division headquarters on Friday.
The ceremony saw Division Mayor Jomo Mugabe and 28 councillors take oath before Mbarara Chief Magistrate Moses Nabende Mushebebe.
During the event, Division Town Clerk Sarah Nandawula handed over instruments of power to the newly sworn-in mayor.
In his maiden speech, Mayor Jomo Mugabe called on Members of Parliament to streamline laws governing cities and raised concern over what he described as unfair allocation of property tax revenues.
He noted that despite the division collecting substantial property taxes, only a small portion is returned to support division operations.
Godfrey Tumusiime retained his seat unopposed as Division Speaker, while Innocent Ainembabazi was elected Deputy Speaker after defeating Twinomugisha Flavia by 14 votes to 12.
Mayor Jomo Mugabe also named his executive committee, appointing Sekyanzi John Mary as Deputy Mayor, Natuhwera Shallot as Secretary for Administration, Finance and Planning, Adam Abassi as Secretary for Social Services and Community-Based Services, and Mugabi Barnabus Amwine as Secretary for Works, Technical Services, Production and Natural Resources.
Mbarara City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi pledged to work closely with the new division leadership and urged leaders to prioritize service delivery over politics.
City Town Clerk Justine Barekye said the Property Rates Act mandates central management of property tax funds and pledged to convene a meeting to address concerns over remittances to the division.
Deputy Resident City Commissioner Gerald Tukamuheebwa urged leaders to reconcile and focus on development, warning them against corruption.
Mbarara City Woman MP Charity Kibaaju Kamuhanda pledged cooperation with local leaders and urged the newly sworn-in officials to champion the city’s development agenda.
