Lukwago, Musisi to settle dispute out of court

By Hillary Nsambu

THE High Court has given Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and the city’s Executive Officer, Jennifer Musisi one month within which to settle their differences.

This followed a mutual agreement between the lawyers of the two parties who told the presiding Judge, Justice Eldard Mwangusya that the parties are ready to talk at a round table

The Kampala Mayor, Erias Lukwago dragged the  Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) executive director, Jennifer Musisi to court in quest of a legal interpretation about their terms of reference.

Lukwago petitioned the High court in Kampala in September seeking a declaration restraining Musisi from interfering with the activities that should have been executed by him.

According to the petition, Lukwago accuses Musisi of making it extremely difficult for him to execute his duties as well as developing strategies and programmes for the city.

He cites Musisi’s proposal of KCCA top managers’ salaries which was forwarded to the ministry of finance without consulting him. Lukwago insist that he is the head of KCCA.

Lukwago now wants an order retraining Musisi from acting beyond her powers. He also demands that Musisi produces a report concerning the fraudulent sale of KCCA’s dispensary at plot 71 Nkrumah Road, since she is the one who frustrated efforts to carry out investigation into the same.

Lukwago also threatened to resign his position in October, saying the Government had frustrated his efforts to streamline business in the city.

He said he was considering petitioning the constitutional court to seek clarification on his role as Lord Mayor, as provided for in the Kampala Capital City Authority Act, 2010.

“I am compelled to go to court to find out if I have no powers in the law. If court rules that I have no powers, I will pack and go home to the people who elected me,” he said.

Lukwago accused the government of deliberately refusing to recognise his powers in the management of the city.

He cited a letter from the Resident City Commissioner, Alice Muwanguzi dated September 13, advising Council not to discuss the recent eviction of vendors from city streets without consulting the Kampala minister.

Lukwago accused the minister in charge of Kampala, Kabakumba Masiko, for ignoring his numerous requests to meet political leaders in the Authority to resolve their grievances.

“The minister is here to serve everyone. Why should we turn into beggars? I am not going to kneel for anyone because we all have statutory obligations according to the law,” he said.