Waltham Swears In First African-American City Councilor

WALTHAM, MA — On Tuesday, Oct. 9 Sharline Nabulime became the first African-American on the Waltham City Council and the first woman and the first refugee to represent Ward 6. Nabulime said she might be the first Ugandan-American to hold public office in the state.

Nabulime won the Ward 6 special election to take the seat left vacant by former Councilor Robert Waddick, who left for a position as city clerk.

Assistant Professor of African and Afro-American Studies and Politics At Brandeis University Amber Spry said this is a hopeful sign for both Waltham and democracy.

"One of the cool things about these kind of electoral victories where people are doing ground breaking things by becoming the first person of their background to represent a district, is that it signals the people that there are people who are willing to represent a broad range of interests," said Spry. "I think Sharline's electoral victory is telling of that. It's a really good sign for democracy and a really good sign for local politics."

Nabulime was born in Uganda but has lived in the U.S. for decades. The same night as her swearing-in, Waltham City Council passed a resolution honoring the Ugandan immigrants to Waltham, a day after the 56th anniversary of Ugandan independence.

"I was humbled to begin my work as your elected representative that same day," said Nabulime in a social media post. Nabulime thanked God and noted that she plans to "forge ahead with this notion of governance that is open, transparent, and inclusive."

"I am so proud to represent the Ugandan community in Waltham, a city fondly known as 'Little Kampala,'"she wrote.

Previously:

Ward 6 Special Election In Waltham: Sharline Nabulime Wins

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff