The Bukwo LC V Chairperson, Julius Moses Chelimo has resigned. Chelimo communicated his decision to the Bukwo District Speaker on October 24th, 2022.

“Pursuant to Article 14 (A) (a) of the local government act Cap 243, I hereby resign as the district chairperson forthwith….,” Chelimo wrote to the speaker with specifying reasons for his decision.

He confirmed the decision to URN, saying he did it for his personal safety. “I can’t be a district chairperson serving in NRM government when some people in the government want me dead,” he said briefly and switched off his phone.

Bukwo Resident District Commissioner, Samuel Hashaka Mpimbaza confirmed receiving a copy of Chelimo’s resignation, saying he was arranging a meeting with him to understand what prompted the decision. “I have scheduled a meeting with the chairman to hear him out,” he said.

Chelimo’s resignation comes almost a month after police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said he was wanted for aggravated defilement and trafficking. “We are hunting for the chairman of LC5 Bukwo district. He has a lot of power and influence in the district and the Sebei region. We also appeal to the public who can lead us to his arrest to help the police,” Enanga told journalists at a press briefing in Kampala in September.

The LC V chairperson was accused of luring a sixteen-year-old girl into acts of sexual violence with promises of marrying her and getting her a job in November last year. It is not clear whether the police are still pursuing the matter. In 2015, Chelimo denounced his rebel group, which was terrorizing the people of Sebei and Bugisu regions, and sought pardon from the president, Yoweri Museveni. He contested in 2021 and won the Bukwo LC V Chairperson’s seat on the NRM ticket.

Moses Kiplimo, a resident of Chesower, says Chelimo’s resignation has triggered panic among the people in sebei region “We dont know his next move, he might return to the bush and start disturbing people yet he has been a peaceful man,” he said. Patrick Mongusho, a resident of Riwo Bukwo, said the government should intervene in Chelimo’s issues so that that he completes his term peacefully.

“We shall be the ones to suffer like the previous time, we request the government to see how to handle Chelimo’s issues carefully,” he said. Calvin Cherop, a resident from Amang town council, says that the Sebei and Bugisu regions will not enjoy peace should Chelimo’s resignation stand.