Mulondo’s arrest deepens
Sep 26, 2007
KAYUNGA district seems to be falling apart after the LC5 Chairman, Thomas Mulondo, was arrested and sent to prison on the orders of the Inspector General of Government (IGG). To make matters worse, the person Mulondo chose as vice-chairman, is yet to be confirmed by the council.
KAYUNGA
By Joshua Kato
KAYUNGA district seems to be falling apart after the LC5 Chairman, Thomas Mulondo, was arrested and sent to prison on the orders of the Inspector General of Government (IGG). To make matters worse, the person Mulondo chose as vice-chairman, is yet to be confirmed by the council.
Mulondo is accused of using around sh1.9m, allocated for his fuel, on personal businesses. He is also accused of employing a driver who had failed interviews, to drive the district bus, which caused the district financial loss.
A few months after he took office, Mulondo asked the IGG to carry out a commission of inquiry, especially against Maira Mukasa, the chief administrative officer (CAO). Mulondo said Mukasa had diverted over sh155m meant for graduated tax compensation to sub-counties.
Mulondo also accused Mukasa of giving away the district’s only grader to be used in Iganga.
But politicians in the district, say Mulondo’s arrest is just another chapter in a power struggle, whose dimensions change everyday.
“These problems are as a result of politicians who have failed to respect their boundaries,†says Muwanga Kisaalita, the secretary for finance and administration and councillor for Kayunga Town Council.
Kisaalita also accuses Margaret Balyewuki, the resident district commissioner of deliberately failing Mulondo. It is said that Balyewuki, who was on the same side with Mukasa, is causing more problems than just her oversight and supervision role in the district.
However, Balyewuki says whatever interventions she has made have been within the boundaries of her job. “I am overseeing the implementation of government programmes. I cannot simply sit by while money is being wasted.â€she says.
Meanwhile, a section of councillors at one time gave Mulondo one month to leave office, or else they would push him out.
It is said the main cause of the problem is a conflict between Mulondo and Mukasa over some extra amount of funding that Mulondo asked Mukasa for. Mulondo had requested for an additional sh8m, on top of his official salary. However, Mukasa denied Mulondo’s request. “I explained to him that the district did not have that kind of money, especially after the scrapping of graduated tax, but it seems he thought I had refused to give him the money,†Mukasa said at the time. He has been transferred to Kabale.
Several councillors are angry with Mulondo. “He did not come here to work for development, but to continue causing divisions,†says one angry councillor.
The CAO and the LC5 must have good working relations if a district is to move forward. While the LC5 is the political leader, the CAO is the overall administrator.
Ssembabule district had problems developing because of conflicts between the LC5, Herman Ssentongo and the CAO, Robert Twesigye.
In Kayunga, the new CAO has barely been two months in office, thus cannot knowingly comment on the saga. However, he realises that he faces a tough task.
According to Mulondo, however, Mukasa was an agent of under-development. “He stands in the way of everything developmental that I try to initiate,†he said. When Mukasa was transferred, Mulondo hoped there would be peace in the district.
The impasse among local leaders is causing paralysis in developmental programmes.
The intensity of the conflicts in Kayunga has even drawn the attention of national leaders. Some of these include the State Minster for Local Government, Hope Mwesigye, MPs Sulaiman Madada (Bbale) Sarah Nyombi, Tom Kazibwe and Florence Naiga.
According to analysts, although Mulondo may have a case to answer, his arrest will only make the conflicts much deeper. Reaching a consensus would have been a better idea. And as the politicians wrangle, it is the masses in the villages who are suffering.
By Joshua Kato
KAYUNGA district seems to be falling apart after the LC5 Chairman, Thomas Mulondo, was arrested and sent to prison on the orders of the Inspector General of Government (IGG). To make matters worse, the person Mulondo chose as vice-chairman, is yet to be confirmed by the council.
Mulondo is accused of using around sh1.9m, allocated for his fuel, on personal businesses. He is also accused of employing a driver who had failed interviews, to drive the district bus, which caused the district financial loss.
A few months after he took office, Mulondo asked the IGG to carry out a commission of inquiry, especially against Maira Mukasa, the chief administrative officer (CAO). Mulondo said Mukasa had diverted over sh155m meant for graduated tax compensation to sub-counties.
Mulondo also accused Mukasa of giving away the district’s only grader to be used in Iganga.
But politicians in the district, say Mulondo’s arrest is just another chapter in a power struggle, whose dimensions change everyday.
“These problems are as a result of politicians who have failed to respect their boundaries,†says Muwanga Kisaalita, the secretary for finance and administration and councillor for Kayunga Town Council.
Kisaalita also accuses Margaret Balyewuki, the resident district commissioner of deliberately failing Mulondo. It is said that Balyewuki, who was on the same side with Mukasa, is causing more problems than just her oversight and supervision role in the district.
However, Balyewuki says whatever interventions she has made have been within the boundaries of her job. “I am overseeing the implementation of government programmes. I cannot simply sit by while money is being wasted.â€she says.
Meanwhile, a section of councillors at one time gave Mulondo one month to leave office, or else they would push him out.
It is said the main cause of the problem is a conflict between Mulondo and Mukasa over some extra amount of funding that Mulondo asked Mukasa for. Mulondo had requested for an additional sh8m, on top of his official salary. However, Mukasa denied Mulondo’s request. “I explained to him that the district did not have that kind of money, especially after the scrapping of graduated tax, but it seems he thought I had refused to give him the money,†Mukasa said at the time. He has been transferred to Kabale.
Several councillors are angry with Mulondo. “He did not come here to work for development, but to continue causing divisions,†says one angry councillor.
The CAO and the LC5 must have good working relations if a district is to move forward. While the LC5 is the political leader, the CAO is the overall administrator.
Ssembabule district had problems developing because of conflicts between the LC5, Herman Ssentongo and the CAO, Robert Twesigye.
In Kayunga, the new CAO has barely been two months in office, thus cannot knowingly comment on the saga. However, he realises that he faces a tough task.
According to Mulondo, however, Mukasa was an agent of under-development. “He stands in the way of everything developmental that I try to initiate,†he said. When Mukasa was transferred, Mulondo hoped there would be peace in the district.
The impasse among local leaders is causing paralysis in developmental programmes.
The intensity of the conflicts in Kayunga has even drawn the attention of national leaders. Some of these include the State Minster for Local Government, Hope Mwesigye, MPs Sulaiman Madada (Bbale) Sarah Nyombi, Tom Kazibwe and Florence Naiga.
According to analysts, although Mulondo may have a case to answer, his arrest will only make the conflicts much deeper. Reaching a consensus would have been a better idea. And as the politicians wrangle, it is the masses in the villages who are suffering.