{UAH} Ugandan capital's mayor returns to office

Ugandan capital's mayor returns to office

2014-03-31 12:41

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (File, AFP)Kampala - Key Ugandan opposition leader and mayor of the capital Erias Lukwago resumed office Monday five months after being ousted in a power struggle with the ruling party, reports said.

The political battle came amid criticism of President Yoweri Museveni - who is preparing to run in elections scheduled for 2016, which will be his 30th year in power - for stifling opposition groups.

Kampala mayor Lukwago was dismissed from the powerful post in November by the city council - dominated by Museveni's ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) - after they accused him of incompetence.

But he returned to his office after a court ruling last week said his removal had been illegal.

Lukwago, who was elected mayor in 2011 as an independent candidate, has been a vocal challenger of the government.

However, many of the mayor's powers have in recent years been transferred to the city council, headed by a leader appointed by the president.

Uganda's Daily Monitor newspaper showed photographs of Lukwago back in his office, celebrating with supporters.

"We are going to abide by the court's decision," city council spokesperson Robert Kalumba told the newspaper.

- AFP

Read

___________________________________

Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower