Luuka, Uganda: The contest for the Luuka District Speakership ended in consensus on Wednesday after Baker Luwano withdrew from the race and endorsed Ronald Bikumbi following mediation talks led by Faruk Kirunda.
The harmonisation meeting was held in Jinja City and brought together the two aspirants alongside incoming district leaders to resolve tensions ahead of the formation of the new district leadership.
Luwano, a councillor representing Luuka Town Council, said his decision was guided by the need to prioritise unity and development within the district.
“Luuka is bigger than all our personal interests and aspirations,” Luwano said.
“Personally, I have decided to work with my fellow leaders such as Mr. Bikumbi Ronald to take Luuka forward in terms of development,” he added.
Luwano noted that the district only has one Speaker and one Deputy Speaker position, urging leaders to embrace teamwork and collective responsibility.
He pledged full support to Bikumbi if elected and commended Kirunda for facilitating the reconciliation talks.
Luwano also thanked Peter Kafuko Mulyandawo, the Luuka District Chairperson-elect, for participating in the mediation process.
“I call for cohesion among leaders because it’s very important in driving Luuka’s socio-economic transformation. He sat us down on a round table and showed us what is right for us as leaders,” Luwano said.
Bikumbi welcomed the withdrawal and praised Luwano for what he described as selfless leadership aimed at promoting unity within the district.
“We have sat and agreed without fighting that he lets me continue taking on the mantle as Luuka District Speaker,” Bikumbi said.
“As leaders, we need a united and developed Luuka that benefits its people. I pledge that we shall work as a team to ensure development of our district,” he added.
During the meeting, Kirunda urged the incoming leadership to focus on programmes that directly improve household incomes and livelihoods.
He encouraged leaders to mobilise residents around the Parish Development Model as part of efforts to fight poverty and create wealth.
“You should ensure effective service delivery and be exemplary among the people you lead,” Kirunda emphasized.
Chairperson-elect Kafuko praised both aspirants for embracing dialogue and putting district interests above personal ambition.
“I thank Mr. Luwano and Mr. Bikumbi for accepting to work together and accepting that Luuka is bigger than all of us. We should now focus on enhancing service delivery in our district,” Kafuko said.
Shaban Batwala, the district vice chairperson, also commended Kirunda for promoting unity and political harmony in the district.
Meanwhile, George Kipalu attended the meeting, with leaders saying his presence reflected support from the district administration for the harmonisation process.
Following the agreement, leaders said focus would now shift toward implementing development programmes and strengthening service delivery during the 2026–2031 term.
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