Jinja council probed over allowances

Jun 23, 2011

INVESTIGATIONS by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) have established that Jinja municipal councillors were paid sh2,760,000 as sitting allowances in January 2010 yet they did not hold any meeting during that period.

By Charles Kakamwa

INVESTIGATIONS by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) have established that Jinja municipal councillors were paid sh2,760,000 as sitting allowances in January 2010 yet they did not hold any meeting during that period.

According to findings contained in a June 8 report, signed by Muzamil Abon, Rajab Kitto, who was the acting clerk to council, requisitioned for the money.

“Kitto requisitioned for the money for 23 councillors. However, the voucher was not passed for payment by the chief finance officer and the town clerk, although the duo signed a cheque to effect the payment,” the report addressed to the town clerk, Francis Barabanawe, said

The report noted that Ronald Kafiifi, a senior accountant, authorised the irregular payment and the money was paid to the 23 councillors on March 10, 2010.

It added that the councillors were paid a mobilisation and transport allowance of sh480,000 per month between January and June 2010 which was not dependent on attendance of meetings.

A sitting allowance of sh120,000 was paid to each councillor who attended a council or committee meeting.

The IGG also found out that councillor Saulo Nsongambi was paid sh1,488,000 as mobilisation and transport allowance and sitting allowance during the time he was on remand at Kirinya Prison.

“The money was requisitioned by Kitto and was received on his behalf by councillor Irene Nakato,” the report said.

The IGG recommended that Kitto, who is now the municipal public relations officer, refunds sh42,248,000 which he requisitioned fraudulently.

He is required to deposit the money on the IGG Assets Recovery Account No. 003030088000007 in Bank of Uganda within 60 days of issuance of the report or face prosecution. The town clerk was ordered to submit Kitto to the district service commission for reprimand for making false claims. Kafiifi will also appear before the commission for disciplinary action for his role in the fraudulent payment.

“For accountability, you should ensure that requisitions for sitting allowances are submitted together with a copy of the minutes of the meeting referred to,” the IGG counselled.

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