New Entebbe mayor calls for reconcilation

Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Fabrice Brad Rulinda, the new Mayor of Entebbe Municipality has called for reconciliation with his opponents. 

Rulinda defeated the incumbent and DP candidate Vincent DePaul Kayanja, NRM’s Michael Mutebi Kabwama, Olive Nassuna (National Unity Platform-NUP), Gerald Muwonge, Mohamed Kawuma and Kenneth Ssimbwa (Alliance for National Transformation-ANT).

Moments after he was declared winner, DP and NRM supporters held a joint protest disputing Rulinda’s victory.  During the protest, Eric Kyeyune who was an NRM leader in Katabi-Busambaga village was allegedly killed by soldiers who were quelling the protests.

Last week, Kayanja filed an election petition against Rulinda and the Electoral Commission in the High Court. 

On Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony, Rulinda rallied the people to end politicking and focus on the development of their area.   

Rulinda pledges to initiate the reconciliation process so that Entebbe residents unite and focus on improving their livelihoods and standards of living. He says widows and unemployed youth are some of the people his leadership will support in the next five years. 

Rulinda’s supporters led by Jessy Birungi are happy that Rulinda has taken the oath. Vincent Mugerwa, a resident of Lugonjo-Nakiwogo says he was not sure whether or not Rulinda would be sworn in due to the tense atmosphere in the municipality.   

Michael Kalle, a member of DP, says Rulinda’s speech has been overshadowed by the rigging claims. 

Rulinda and the 23 municipal councillors were sworn in by the Grade One Magistrate Naomi Sikhoya. 

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