PICTORIAL: East African Local Gov’t associations elect new leaders

KAMPALA - The Mayor Koboko Municipality and chairperson of the Urban Authorities Association of Uganda (UAAU), Dr. Kirk Fixer Wilson Sanya, has been unanimously elected as the new President of the East African County and Local Governments Association (EACLGA). 

The election, which took place during the association's annual general meeting at Speke Resort Convention Centre Munyonyo attracted executive committee members of local government associations in East Africa. 

They came from Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya, and hosts Uganda. Democratic Republic of Congo were invited but did not attend because they did not get clearance in time.

Dr. Kirk Fixer Wilson Sanya, the new President of the East African County and Local Governments Association (EACLGA) remarks after the elections. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

The election of leaders is always done on a rotational basis and this time it was Uganda’s slot, after taking over from Rwanda for the position of association President and representatives.

Dr. Sanya, a former Town Clerk takes over the presidency from Jeannette Nyiramasengesho, the President of the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, for the two-year term that expires in November 2026.

Gervais Ngirirwa, the chairperson of the Burundi Association of Communes (ACO-Burundi), was elected the Vice President of the association and he takes over from Phillemon Sabulei Kiplagat from the County Assemblies Forum of Kenya.
 

Arusha City Lord Mayor Maximilian Iranqhe remarks. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Other leaders elected from Uganda include Robert Kabanda, the Mukono Central Division mayor who now represents municipalities and the youth, Florence Namayanja from Masaka City who represents women and cities, and John Bosco Kananura, the mayor Katwe-Kabatooro Town Council. Kananura, who has been the vice president of UAAU, will sit on the executive as President UAAU after Dr. Sanya was elected to head the association.

Dr. Sanya made a brief acceptance speech and called on the association to forget what transpired during the election process and look forward to strengthening the association.

During other discussions, members commended Arusha city for its approach towards managing garbage and recommended that the rest of the leaders visit the city for benchmarking.

EACLGA secretary general Rose Gertrude Gamwera. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

The annual general meeting proceeded with the EACLGA 8th conference, slated to close on Thursday, November 21, 2024, under the theme, “Harnessing the Strength of the Decentralisation Institutions of Governance to Promote Inclusivity and Effective Participation of the Communities in the East African Community (EAC) integration Agenda’.

It aims to solidify the role of local governments in driving regional integration and development. It is hosted by the Ministry of Local Government in partnership with the EACLGA.

Among other objectives, the conference is expected to empower local governments in mobilising cities, counties, and local governments to foster effective development planning aligned with the regional and global agendas of 2030 and 2063.
 

Masaka City mayor Florence Namayanja remarks. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

The conference was coordinated by Rose Gamwera, the Secretary General of EACLGA and was attended by the President of the Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA), Andrew Moses Awany, who is the chairperson of Kole district in Northern Uganda.

Below is a picture highlight, as new members of the East African County and Local Governments Association (EACLGA) were being elected, all Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba;

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Dr. Kirk Fixer Wilson Sanya, the new President of the East African County and Local Governments Association(EACLGA). 

Jeannet Nyiramasengesho, the outgoing EACLGA president.

Masaka City Mayor Florence Namayanja remarks.

Arusha City Lord Mayor Maximilian Iranqhe remarks.

Robert Kabanda, the Mukono Central Division mayor interacts with Masaka City's Florence Namayanja.

Robert Kabanda, the Mukono Central Division mayor.

 
EACLGA secretary  general Rose Gertrude Gamwera.