The political leadership of Mbarara District derives its mandate from the Local governments Act Cap. 243, which provides for the functions of Local Government Councils.

District Chairperson

Hon. Tumwesigye Didas Tabaro (NRM) is the District Chairperson of Mbarara. He was elected into office in January 2021.
The Chairman, as first citizen of the District, represents Mbarara District Council at Community and civic events. The Chairperson is elected every five years by universal adult suffrage through secret ballot. The Chairperson is responsible to the council and takes precedence over matters relating to the district.

The duties of the District Chairperson include:
1.    Presiding at all meetings of the Executive Committee
2.    Monitoring the general administration of the District
3.    Monitoring the implementation of Council decisions
4.    Monitoring and coordinating the activities of urban, lower local Government councils and administrative units
5.    Monitoring the provision of Government services and projects
6.    Overseeing the performance of Central Government employees
7.    Coordinating and monitoring Government functions.
The Chairpersons annual Scorecard measures performance with the goal of strengthening accountability and improving the delivery of public services to citizens. The four areas of assessment are performance in political leadership, legislative role, initiation and participation in projects, monitoring public services, and contact with the electorate.

District Speaker

The District Speaker of Mbarara is Councilor Munanukye Venance (NRM). Councilor Kagongi Sub County. He was elected to office in January 2021. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by Council members from amongst themselves as provided for by the Decentralization policy of Uganda since 1992. 

The speaker performs similar functions to those of the Speaker of Parliament, which are consistent with the Local Governments Act cap 243 of the laws of Uganda.

The other duties of the Speaker include presiding at all meetings of the Council. The speaker has overall authority for the preservation of order in the Council and enforcement of rules of procedure of the Council.

The Speaker’s annual Scorecard conducted measures performance with the goal of strengthening accountability and improving the delivery of public services to citizens. The areas of assessment are four: presiding and preservation of order in Council, contact with the electorate, participation in the lower local governments and monitoring service delivery.