A sharp political row has erupted in Luwero District, pitting LC5 Chairperson Erastus Kibirango against Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Abel Bekunda, threatening to destabilize the district at a time when leaders and residents are mourning the death of the Resident District Commissioner, Richard Bwabye Ntulume.
Bekunda, who was transferred from Nakasongola to Luwero in May this year, has been the acting head of the RDC’s office since Bwabye fell sick and later died on November 21, 2025. Yet, even before the late RDC is laid to rest on Monday, tensions between the two top district officials have escalated into a public confrontation.
On Sunday, the pair clashed at the district headquarters minutes before a special council sitting convened to honor the late Bwabye.
The confrontation erupted after National Resistance Movement (NRM) mobilisers decorated the council hall in yellow and pinned campaign posters of President Yoweri Museveni. LC5 Chairperson Kibirango protested the display, arguing that the session was nonpartisan and meant purely to pay tribute to the deceased.
An enraged Bekunda confronted Kibirango, prompting councillors to step in and separate the two leaders before the situation escalated further.
During the sitting, Kibirango praised the late RDC as a humble, respectful, and professional leader, unlike “most RDCs.” He went on to accuse Bekunda of inciting chaos just days earlier.
According to Kibirango, on November 20, during the launch of rehabilitation works on the Kasana–Lugogo–Timuna road, Bekunda was among those who encouraged a group of youths who heckled and attempted to attack him and Nakaseke South MP Paul Luttamaguzi.
He further accused Bekunda of jumping onto the podium to praise the unruly youths before verbally attacking him.
“Bekunda is no longer an RDC but a party mobiliser and should be removed from office,” Kibirango said.
“He has crossed the line by deeply involving himself in partisan fights against me and other district leaders. I am worried—we are still mourning Bwabye, but the district may plunge into violence if Bekunda is not transferred immediately.”
Ambassador James Kinobe, who addressed the council, appealed for tolerance and urged leaders to avoid politics that could spark violence. He warned that heightened political emotions during election season often result in needless conflict. “You can’t demand respect if you are not respecting others. Be respectful to each other,” he said.
Although he had not been listed among speakers, Bekunda requested and was granted a minute to respond. He defended himself, stating that he was willing to cooperate with Kibirango strictly on official matters but would continue participating in partisan politics outside official duties.
He argued that the late Bwabye served the Office of the President and would not have objected to NRM mobilisers pinning posters of “his boss” during the council sitting.
“We shall work together on office matters, but outside I will engage in politics for my party,” Bekunda declared, leaving mourners murmuring in disbelief.
In her remarks, NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja called for calm and unity, urging leaders to embrace peace and tolerance regardless of political affiliation.
The growing tension between the district’s top political and administrative leaders has raised concerns among residents, especially as Luwero navigates a sensitive period of mourning. Whether the central government will intervene to restore harmony remains to be seen.
