Masindi LCV Chairman reshuffles executive committee weeks after swearing-in, retired DEO appointed DSC chairperson

Masindi: Patrick Wobusobozi, the Masindi District LCV Chairperson, has reshuffled members of the District Executive Committee (DEC) barely three weeks after they were sworn into office, citing failure by one of the members to meet the minimum academic qualifications required by law.

The changes were announced on Thursday June 11, 2026 during an extraordinary district council meeting held at the district council chambers and chaired by District Speaker Bright Timbigamba.

Under the reshuffle, Bright Mugume, the directly elected councilor for Kimengo Sub-county, was appointed District Vice Chairperson and Leader of Government Business, replacing Bigirwa Cleophas, the male councilor representing Karujubu Division in Masindi Municipality, who was dropped from the executive committee.

Wobusobozi retained William Mwambu, the male councilor representing persons with disabilities, as Secretary for Social and Community-Based Services. Nelda Asaaba, the female councilor for Bwijanga Sub-county, retained her position as Secretary for Production and Natural Resources, while Simon Byaruhanga was appointed Secretary for Finance, Planning, Investment and Administration.

Speaking to the council, Wobusobozi explained that the district leadership discovered that Bigirwa lacked the minimum academic qualification required for the office of District Vice Chairperson under the Local Governments Act.

“We realized that the former vice chairperson did not possess the minimum qualification of a Senior Six certificate or its equivalent as required under the Local Governments Act. The matter came to our attention when executive committee members were asked to submit their academic credentials for verification and processing by the Service Commission,” Wobusobozi said.

He added that the anomaly was detected when the Chief Administrative Officer requested executive committee members to submit their academic documents as part of the process of validating their eligibility and facilitating salary processing.

“Unfortunately, when the documents were submitted, he could not meet the requirements prescribed by law for the office he was holding,” he added.

Speaker Timbigamba offered Bigirwa an opportunity to address the council on the matter, but he declined to comment.

In the same sitting, the newly appointed Leader of Government Business, Bright Mugume, tabled names of nominees to fill vacancies on the Masindi District Service Commission (DSC).

The council unanimously approved Adolf Kato, a retired Assistant District Education Officer (DEO), as Chairperson of the District Service Commission, and Kaahwa Sharif Juma, a retired head teacher, as a member of the commission, paving the way for a fully functional DSC.

Mugume said the appointments were intended to strengthen the commission and enhance its ability to carry out its mandate. “The approval of these members will enable the District Service Commission to function fully and effectively in handling district human resource matters,” Mugume told the council.

However, the appointments drew concern from some councilors, who questioned the composition of the commission.

Babyesiza Wahid, the directly elected councilor representing Labongo Sub-county, noted that all the approved members came from the education sector and called for greater professional diversity in future appointments.

“Much as the nominees may be competent, we need to consider people from different professions in future so that the commission benefits from diverse experiences and perspectives,” Babyesiza said.

Despite the reservations, the council approved the nominees, completing the membership of the District Service Commission.

The reshuffle marks the first major administrative adjustment by Wobusobozi since assuming office and highlights the district leadership’s commitment to ensuring compliance with legal requirements governing public office holders.

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