The disappearance of the Mayuge LC5 chairman, Baker Ikoba Tigawalana, has thrown open the possibility of a vacancy in the district's top local council position.
Tigawalana hasn't been seen since the Court of Appeals in Kampala found him guilty of murdering his political rival, Fred Num Musiitwa, six years ago. The Court of Appeals overturned 2007 ruling of the High Court that acquitted Tigawalana of the murder.
Now, several politicians who were waiting for next year to declare their interest in the Mayuge LC5 seat have gone public with their intentions. Among them are the former LC5 Vice Chairman of Mayuge Peter Tasibula Nkwanga, the District Speaker Fred Wajokiraina, and the District Youth Councillor Omar Bongo Ductur.
Omar Bongo, who returned from a two-month study tour of South Korea on yesterday, announced his intention to stand for the Mayuge seat as soon as he arrived at Entebbe International Airport. He said he was the right candidate to rid the people of Mayuge of the shame Tigawalana brought on them.
Tigawalana still has time to appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court. However he must do so within 14 days of the delivery of the court ruling. The Court of Appeals delivered its ruling on December 17th.
No one knows what Tigawalana's plans are. At the time the Court of Appeals delivered its ruling, he was at a ditrict chairpersons' training at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi. He left the training prematurely and he hasn't been seen since then.
There are rumors that Tigawalana fled to Kenya, but this cannot be independently confirmed.
