Kikuube leaders, residents pay tribute to fallen chairperson Banura

Leaders and residents in Kikuube District have paid glowing tribute to the late District Chairperson, Peter Banura, describing him as a visionary leader whose ambitions were set on transforming the district.

Banura, 51, died on Saturday evening after he was knocked by a taxi, registration number UBQ 853E, at Butyamba Cell in Kikuube Town Council at around 8:30 PM. At the time of the accident, he had reportedly gone to drop off casual labourers at Bukinda IDP Camp.

Kikuube District Vice Chairperson Vincent Opio Alphur said Banura will be remembered for his remarkable achievements during his tenure, particularly in establishing a permanent home for the district administration.

“Before the construction of the district headquarters, we were operating from old structures belonging to Kikuube Town Council. It was through his efforts that we secured our own home,” Opio noted.

He added that the modern district headquarters was constructed at a cost of Shs2.3 billion under the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP).

Opio further revealed that Banura was deeply passionate about tourism development in Kikuube, with a vision of turning the district into a key tourism destination in Uganda. He said the late chairperson championed a motion to have Bugoma Central Forest Reserve taken over by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to boost conservation and tourism potential.

Leaders also highlighted Banura’s inclusive leadership style. Kikuube District Female Councillor representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Edith Barungi, together with UPC Bunyoro region coordinator Matia Kjura, said the deceased strongly supported disability-related initiatives and consistently advocated for vulnerable groups.

Kikuube Resident District Commissioner Godwin Angalia described Banura as “exceptional and result-oriented,” noting that despite working with him for only a few months, his impact was evident.

“He lobbied for and implemented several development projects, including the construction of schools, roads, and classrooms across the district,” Angalia said.

Edward Billy Kyamulesere, Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee in Kikuube, said he worked closely with Banura to ensure effective service delivery, adding that his leadership prioritized tangible results for the community.

Residents of Kikuube Town Council credited the late chairperson for opening up new streets, improving infrastructure, and overseeing the construction of schools and the district headquarters.

Meanwhile, residents currently living in an IDP camp in Bukinda, Kyangwali Sub-county, after eviction by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), said Banura had been advocating for their resettlement. They expressed hope that his efforts would not go to waste.

Banura had just been re-elected for a second term in the recently concluded general elections at the time of his death.

He will be laid to rest on Thursday in Kakooge, Buhimba Town Council, Kikuube District.