Shock as Ugandan Politician Dies Moments After Swearing-In Ceremony

Residents and local leaders in Nakisunga Sub-county, Mukono District, have been left in shock following the sudden death of a newly elected councillor moments after he was sworn into office.

Henry Kitatta Naggwano, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) councillor representing Katente Ward, collapsed shortly after taking his oath during a swearing-in ceremony held on Friday.

According to sources, Kitatta had been undergoing medical treatment at a health facility before reportedly requesting to be discharged so that he could attend the important event.

Witnesses who attended the ceremony said the councillor appeared visibly weak throughout the function. His condition reportedly deteriorated shortly after the swearing-in, prompting concern among those present. Despite efforts to assist him, he was pronounced dead a few minutes later.

The tragic incident has stunned residents of Katente Ward and the wider Nakisunga community, many of whom described Kitatta as a committed leader who was eager to begin serving his constituents.

The tragedy has also revived memories of a similar incident in 2021, when another councillor representing the same ward reportedly died shortly after assuming office, leaving some residents reflecting on the unusual coincidence.

Despite the shocking development, the swearing-in ceremony proceeded as planned, with the remaining councillors taking their oaths alongside the newly elected Nakisunga Sub-county Chairperson, Stephen Mufuuwa.

Mufuuwa, who was elected on the NRM ticket, officially assumed office after succeeding Mubarak Ssekikubo. Ssekikubo had vacated the position to contest for the Mukono South parliamentary seat but was defeated by Robert Maseruka of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in the recent elections.

As news of Kitatta’s death spread across the district, residents, political leaders, and well-wishers expressed their condolences to his family and friends, mourning a leader whose tenure ended before it had a chance to begin.