The East African Tribune

Mbale Ordered to Implement Egunyu’s Recommendation

July 28th, 2008

Joseph Malinga

THE Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local government has ordered Mbale district to implement the recommendations by the commission of inquiry into the running and mismanagement of public affairs in Mbale municipality.

“I want you to take action on these recommendations using the laid down procedures. In this process, I’m expecting you to be professional, impartial and firm. You should not allow any external interference in the process of implementing the said recommendations,” V.B Ssekhono said.

The order, is contained in a March 17, letter addressed to Mbale Chief Administration Officer, Stephen Ouma, a copy of which, the East African Tribune Correspondent has seen. The letter is also copied to the LCV Chairman Mbale district, Bernard Mujasi, and the Municipality Town clerk.

Ssekhono said the commission led by Fiona Egunyu recommends the dismissal of three officials while six are to face disciplinary action. Those that are to be submitted to the District Service Commission for dismissal include Engineer Edward Wodeya, Mr James Wonyema Masaba, the Assistant Town Clerk of the northern division and Mr James Wanasolo, the Land Management Supervisor.

Ssekhono further said Mr Wodeya and Masaba would face dismissal for failing to show remorse or improve their conduct of duty in public office although they had earlier been referred for disciplinary action by Inspector General of Government. Wodeya and Wanasolo are further recommended for dismissal over allegations of incompetence, abuse of office and involvement in illicit land transactions.

Those lined up for disciplinary action include: Mr Michael Malomo, the Chief Finance Officer, the Chief cashier, Mr Haruna Wamusi, the Cashier, Mr Joseph Wambedde, the Assistant Town Clerk Mr Moses Khisa, and Mr James Namago Makabayi, the Accountant of Northern division. They are accused of their involvement in cash payments of contractors and the obvious deals, Ssekhono’s letter, adds.

Ms Joy Manana, the Senior Education Officer of Mbale municipality will also face disciplinary action for among others, colluding with Mr Moses Nangendo to continue being  a signatory to the bank accounts of Maluku Primary School after he had been transferred to Wambogo Memorial School.

Mr Stephen Khauka, the Mbale Municipality Chief Finance Officer, (now at the district) will be disciplined for allegedly breaching financial and accounting regulations when he was at the municipality in 2003.

Efforts to get a comment from CAO were futile as his telephone was off, but the municipality Information officer, Mr James Kutosi, said council was waiting for CAO’s action and that the affected parties are aware of their fate. He said they would not be dismissed without getting affair hearing from the district service commission. “The law is very clear that no civil servant would be dismissed without giving his defense, so we are waiting for CAO’s next step,” he said.

The Minister of Local Government, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, last year appointed a commission of inquiry into the running and mismanagement of public affairs in Mbale
municipality following incessant complaints by the public.

Entry Filed under: Opinions