The High Court in Kabale has dismissed a case in which Robert Mbabazi Kakwerere, Rukiga District LCV Chairman, is accused of illegally sacking his vice, Samuel Niwandinda.
Kakwerere, in February, sacked Niwandinda on accusations of insubordination.
The sacking came after Niwandinda declared his intentions to contest against Kakwerere in the National Resistance Movement-NRM party primaries. Niwandinda has already picked nominations, while Kakwerere has not yet.
During a court hearing on Wednesday, Niwandinda’s lawyer, Patience Nasiima, and Kakwerere’s lawyer, Godwin Kumwesiga, revealed that an agreement had been reached between the two parties to bury their hatchet.
Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere, based on the grounds and dismissed the case without awarding costs and also welcomed a peaceful resolution.
Speaking to our reporter after the session, Kakwerere says that there is no reason to remain battling unnecessary feuds.
Niwandinda, who was also the secretary in charge of finance, planning and administration for the Rukiga district council, held a press conference and accused Kakwerere of suffocating efforts to have the public get updates about the performance of the district.
Niwandinda argued that ever since they assumed office in 2021, district leaders have never held a radio talk show or community gathering commonly known as Baraza to explain to the people of Rukiga how the district has performed.
Niwandinda also argued that no political leader has moved to the communities to supervise or assess government programs like the Youth Livelihood Fund (YLP), Emyooga and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), among others. He also accused Kakwerere of keeping quiet as the district faces an exodus of civil servants due to Kakwerere’s alleged harassment.
He also claimed that the district service commission, land board, and Public accounts are inactive, which has hindered service delivery.
In a letter dated February 5, 2025, addressed to the office of Rukiga District Speaker, Kakwerere revoked Niwandinda’s appointment as the District Vice Chairperson as well as a member of the district executive.
Kakwerere accused Niwandinda of insubordination and breaking the oath of allegiance and replaced him with Jacqueline Nkamushaba, a female councillor representing Muhanga town council.