Pader, Uganda – A dispute has erupted in Pader District regarding the potential return to office of former Pader Town Council Chairperson, Kilama Fearless Wod-Acholi, commonly known as “Kilama Mayor,” following his release from prison.
On June 21, 2025, Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao reportedly instructed that Kilama Fearless Wod-Acholi resume his office and receive his full salary for the period he served his sentence.
However, a section of Pader district residents is now calling for the transfer of the Pader Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) over what they perceive as an attempt to prevent the urban council III chairperson from resuming his duties. Kilama was expected to resume office on June 30, 2025.
Kilama Mayor himself is seeking an investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit into the Pader CAO, specifically concerning his salary and the obstruction of his return to office.
Kilama was convicted in 2023 alongside 32 others for incitement to violence, unlawful assembly, and malicious damage, stemming from a 2021 incident during the COVID-19 pandemic. While his appeal overturned one charge, the High Court upheld a six-month sentence and adjusted the remaining charges to 89 days.
Information obtained by our team of reporters indicates that since Kilama’s release, the district leadership has written to the Solicitor General for legal guidance on his eligibility to return. This query arises particularly because the council declared his seat vacant and replaced him with Pader Town Council Speaker, Hon. Labongo Dickson, in March 2024.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Pader district, Mr. Michael Wanje, has also raised concerns about a missing council motorcycle.
In an additional response on a public forum, Hon. Kilama Fearless Wod-Acholi stated, “Let anybody quote any law that stops me from resuming office.”
