By Martha John Savio – Kitgum Uganda
Kitgum District councilors have petitioned the district Ad-hoc committee over lack of competency and abuse of office by the district executives, but the petition has been thrown out by the council speaker over lack of justifications.
The petition came as a result of a two day council meeting that ended on Thursday late evening.
The meeting resolved to summon four executive members to appear before the Kitgum district council and they are: Mrs. Atim Kevin Joyce Obote Secretary of Finance and Planning, Ociti Francis Ogaba Secretary for Production and wealth creation, Olanya Rogers Olila Secretary of Education and Health and Mr. Kilams Richard Dick.
The four officials are being accused of having upper hand in the misuse of public fund.
The petition was presented by head of petitioners Mr. Kidega Simon Councilor Kitgum Matidi.
He cited that, the government Cap243, Section 17, gives provisions for petition and in this case it was the misuse of public fund which was the Parish development model fund that didn’t reach all the 17 Parishes in Kitgum District.
Twenty-one council members signed the petition apart from the lead petitioner Kidega Simon.
The councilor claimed that the executives approved the guidelines without the district involvement for the training and monitoring of the Parish development model fund.
Kidega further said, the district executives fail to present to council and did not open to the parishes but only recovering the fund without informing them.
The councilors that seconded the petition included; Odong James and Oketa Yot Bosco, representing Akwang and Layamo Sub-County.
However, the Clerk to Kitgum district council, Wokorach Michael emphasized that there is need for more evidence on the issue of petition.
The August House sitting was characterized by some level of indiscipline as some members moved out, and others pointing fingers against each other and some used abusive language upon the speaker Rt. Hon. Ocen John Bosco.
The councilors’ outrageous behaviors triggered the suspension of Oketa Yot Bosco from the council meetings for two conservative meetings which is four months.
The house Speaker also ruled out the petition citing that it was not justifiable adding if the council wants to proceed with the petition they should go to High Court in Kampala.
However the suspended councilor Oket Yot Bosco said he doesn’t feel bad of being banned from the Council meetings because he is sure he is fighting corruption and his electorates will defend him to bring out justifications soon or later.
Akwero Beatrice representing Layamo Sub county constituency was a female among those who moved out of the house meeting.