Why are CAOs, LC5 chairpersons always at each other’s throats?

Sep 30, 2009

SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 will forever remain in my mind. I was interviewing the outgoing Bundibugyo chief administrator officer (CAO), Elias Byamungu, about how Bundibugyo reduced corruption from 90% to 20% (District Public Accounts Committee Report, 2008), whe

By Fred Womakuyu

SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 will forever remain in my mind. I was interviewing the outgoing Bundibugyo chief administrator officer (CAO), Elias Byamungu, about how Bundibugyo reduced corruption from 90% to 20% (District Public Accounts Committee Report, 2008), when the district chairman, Jackson Bambalira in military combat, flung Byamungu’s door open.

Bambalira said: “You are supposed to have handed over by September 21, but you are delaying your stay here yet the people of Budaka need you.”
He was referring to Budaka district where Byamungu was recently transferred as the new CAO. But according to Byamungu, he received the letter a day after that date which prompted him to write to Bambalira requesting for more time to prepare for the hand-over.

“You cannot hand-over such an office in just a day. I need a week to examine the latest district transactions and write an organised report,” Byamungu said.

Without listening to Byamungu’s pleas, Bambalira ordered: “I have given you two hours to hand over the office and give me the car keys,” Bambalira said.

Perplexed, the CAO said: “Chairman, you think you can scare me with military uniform? We went to Kyankwanzi together and I also have military uniform.”
Byamungu says the conflict between them started when he denied Bambalira money to run his campaigns for district chairman in 2006.

“Politicians think they can be given money meant for development to use in politics. I refused to give him the money and this is the explosion of the grudge.”
Before Byamungu could come to terms with the events, his secretary came running and said there was a mob outside the office ready to beat him.
Byamungu rang the Police asking for security. Four guards armed with AK47 rifles came to his rescue.
Just as he was about to continue with the interview, Bambalira called him and reminded him to immediately hand-over the keys.

But Byamungu was defiant. “Chairman, that vehicle is for the Government and not for you. Why are you insisting?” Byamungu said.
Meanwhile a group of youth, armed with sticks and vehicle tools proceeded to remove three tyres off the CAO’s vehicle.

Enraged, Byamungu contacted a person in Kampala who cannot be disclosed publicly to rescue him. The source called Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura, who in turn, told the Fort Portal Regional Police Commander (RPC) to arrest the situation.
The RPC also called Bundibugyo District Police Commander (DPC) to give Byamungu security. In the midst of the drama, the Bundibugyo Resident District Commissioner called for a meeting with Bambalira, DPC, and District Internal Security officer to solve the impasse.

It took the efforts of the DPC to escort Byamungu to the three-hour meeting after which Byamungu said they had agreed on September 29 as the hand-over date.
Byamungu says Bambalira’s intention was to get rid of him quickly in order to misuse funds. 
But chairman Bambalira denied the allegations and accused Byamungu of stealing over sh1billion meant for district development. “We do not have good roads or drugs in the hospital. He does not want to leave because he wants to steal more,” Bambalira said.

The problem is countrywide

The stand off between the top shots of Bundibugyo is part of the wider poor relationship between various district CAOs and other district officials.
According to Gulu district chairman, Norbert Mao, a poor relationship between CAOs and district officials hampers effective service delivery. He says the problem emanates from lack of a common vision between officials.

“Many politicians think CAOs can release money whenever they want even if the activity is not budgeted for. When the CAO refuses, the two clash.”

Mao adds that some officials are sectarian and do not want CAOs from other regions. He also attributes these conflicts to the officials who do not understand their roles. “Some officials are taking on the role of CAOs while some CAOs are taking on roles of politicians.”

Julius Ocen, Amuria district chairman, says the idea of shifting the power to appoint CAOs from district service commissions to the central government is the reason for the poor relationship between CAOs and district officials.

“CAOs are now listening to only the central government and not the district officials. Of course this strains relations,” says Ocen.

He adds that the Government is using CAOs to implement its agenda which overshadows district councils. Ocen says if a CAO is not listening to a politician or other officials, they may frustrate the efforts of the CAO. “Officials will waste time fighting rather than delivering services,” Ocen says.

The way forward

Mao says there should be mediation between the warring parties. “Through the Uganda Local Government Association, we are talking to some of these people and it is working out. We did it in Budaka and it worked.”
He advises people to vote the right kind of people to office: “Many people join local council politics thinking there is a lot of money. There is no money except sacrifice.”

Philemon Mubiru, the CAO of Nakasongola says: “When there is a problem, I discuss it with the district officials, but when they fail to listen, we stick to the law.”

On the other hand, Ocen says the Government should empower local governments to recruit and retain the right CAOs although he thinks sectarianism may hamper this.

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