Zahara Luyirika, the National Unity Platform Party-NUP candidate has been elected Speaker of Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA.
Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ayo Miriam Okello declared Luyirika, the Woman Councillor representing Makindye West, winner after gathering 43 out of the 52 total votes cast. Her opponent of the NRM party Shamim Awal Namusisi got eight votes.
The council has 54 members, one councillor James Mubiru is in prison over charges of illegally possessing attires that are a preserve of the armed forces while Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago abstained from voting.
Nasur Masaba, of the National Unity Platform-NUP party, was elected Deputy Speaker KCCA after defeating NRMs Allan Mwesigwa.
Masaba garnered 42 votes against Mwesigwa’s 9 votes.
In the last KCCA Council, the Deputy Speaker was NRM’s Bruhan Byaruhanga while the Speaker Abubaker Kawalya was an Independent who had just fallen out with his party, Forum for Democratic Change, FDC.
This is the second time KCCA is voting for a speaker and deputy speaker following the Amendment of the KCCA Act 2020.
The speaker is mandated to preside over council sittings, guide the house during the Budget process and make laws. Council under the speaker’s leadership also holds KCCA accountable.
