LC5s form accountability committee
Oct 07, 2009
THE Uganda Local Government Association, an umbrella body for LC5 and LC3 chairpersons, wants tough punishment of officials involved in financial mismanagement and sexual harassment.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
THE Uganda Local Government Association, an umbrella body for LC5 and LC3 chairpersons, wants tough punishment of officials involved in financial mismanagement and sexual harassment.
The association’s president, John Karazaarwe, told journalists on Tuesday that they plan to form a nine-man Ethics and Accountability Committee to enforce the measures.
According to the association’s new charter, any district or sub-county official who misappropriates public funds or is accused of sexual harassment will at first be warned by the committee.
“On subsequent conviction, the committee shall recommend that the offender be suspended or censured,†reads the charter.
Besides suspension or censure, the perpetrator needs to publicly apologise to the complainant and pay compensation.
Karazaarwe noted that the committee will investigate complaints of corruption, mismanagement and causing financial loss by local government officials.
“We have been relying on the IGG and Auditor General to investigate the anomalies. Now, we shall conduct our own investigations and forward the matter to the relevant authorities,†Karazaarwe said.
Officials found guilty by the committee will be prosecuted and their salary withheld, states the charter. It also empowers the chief administrative officers and town clerks to use any lawful means to recover the money.
THE Uganda Local Government Association, an umbrella body for LC5 and LC3 chairpersons, wants tough punishment of officials involved in financial mismanagement and sexual harassment.
The association’s president, John Karazaarwe, told journalists on Tuesday that they plan to form a nine-man Ethics and Accountability Committee to enforce the measures.
According to the association’s new charter, any district or sub-county official who misappropriates public funds or is accused of sexual harassment will at first be warned by the committee.
“On subsequent conviction, the committee shall recommend that the offender be suspended or censured,†reads the charter.
Besides suspension or censure, the perpetrator needs to publicly apologise to the complainant and pay compensation.
Karazaarwe noted that the committee will investigate complaints of corruption, mismanagement and causing financial loss by local government officials.
“We have been relying on the IGG and Auditor General to investigate the anomalies. Now, we shall conduct our own investigations and forward the matter to the relevant authorities,†Karazaarwe said.
Officials found guilty by the committee will be prosecuted and their salary withheld, states the charter. It also empowers the chief administrative officers and town clerks to use any lawful means to recover the money.