Kamuli, Uganda: The District Council in Kamuli held a special sitting at Boma Grounds on Saturday to honour the late LC5 Chairperson Charles Maxwell Mugudde Kuwembula, whose sudden death in a road accident on June 12 has triggered grief and accusations of political witchcraft.
Presided over by Deputy Speaker Mrs. Victoria Apiri, the emotionally charged session attracted current and former district leaders, government officials, and Busoga Kingdom dignitaries, who paid glowing tributes while demanding deeper reflection on the dangerous undercurrents of local politics.
Nawanyago Sub-county Councillor Amex Ssebidde, who moved the motion of appreciation, proposed that the Kamuli District Council Hall be named after the late Kuwembula in recognition of his legacy. The motion was seconded by Kabale’s Moses Namasagali and Namwendwa’s Kintu Sanoni.
Balawoli Town Council Councillor Peter Kaluuba described Kuwembula as “intelligent, selfless, and committed to service,” but blamed Uganda’s governance framework for stripping power from elected leaders. “The current system leaves us with no implementation power. We only allocate funds—we don’t supervise. Corruption continues, and the IGG does nothing about it,” he said.
Tension escalated when former LC5 Chairperson Proscovia Salam Musumba, who served from 2012 to 2016, openly claimed that Kuwembula’s death was the result of witchcraft and political sabotage.
“It is poison and witchcraft killing our leaders. This LC5 job is not worth dying for, but people are being eliminated,” Musumba said sharply. “Very soon, I will reveal those behind these deaths.”
Musumba further delivered condolences on behalf of the People’s Front for Freedom, where she serves in a senior leadership position.
Another Former LC5 Chairperson, Mr Thomas Kategere Ndimukika, who held office from 2016 to 2021, urged NRM members to rally behind Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga in the upcoming Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections.
Minister for East African Community Affairs Rt Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, who was the chief mourner, eulogized Kuwembula as a transparent and accountable leader.
“I told him to serve his people honestly, and he followed that guidance. I request this council to issue a Certificate of Service to his family,” Kadaga added.
“Uganda is approaching a political transition. Kadaga’s leadership, memory, and global networks are essential at this time,” he said, directing his appeal to MPs John Taira and Martin Muzaale.
Kuwembula, 48, becomes the second Kamuli LC5 Chairperson to die in a road accident. The first was Kaloli Isabirye Baligeya, who died with his family in 2005.
The special council sitting was attended by several Busoga district chairpersons, RDCs, religious leaders, Busoga Kingdom dignitaries led by Owek Patrick Bayole, and members of the wider community.
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