By Egessa Hajusu

BUSIA municipality councillors have voted to go for a tour in Hoima district at the expense of funding unaccomplished projects in the area.

The uncompleted projects include road maintenance and provision of power to the maternity ward at Busia health centre IV.

During a council budget meeting held recently at Busia community centre, the issue of councillors going for the tour raised a heated debate, forcing the speaker, Godfrey Beneza, to withdraw from presiding over the session.

Beneza said he was opposed to the idea and could not, therefore, preside over the meeting. “This is not the time to talk about tours,” Beneza said before walking out of the meeting.

The deputy speaker, Juliet Nakakembo, took over, allowing the debate to continue. Susan Wandera, representing female persons with disabilities, said part of the sh18m meant for the tour should be used to connect electricity to the maternity ward.

Mary Okumu, the councillor for the northeast parish, said it was not wise for the councillors to spend the money on a tour when Buchicha road needed sh12m for rehabilitation.

Semakula Babu noted that the councillors put off the tour last year hoping that the money would be used to connect power to the ward, but the technical officers had diverted the money.

A total of sh3m is needed to connect power to the maternity ward which was constructed using local revenue.
The councillors voted 15 against one in favour of the tour.

Ruling on the matter, Nakakembo said the councillors should go to Hoima and enjoy themselves because they were not sure if they would all come back to the council after next year’s general elections.