Will he outlive his predecessors?
Sep 26, 2007
MUKONO<br>By Joel Ogwang <br><br>The media portrays Mukono as chaotic. But I am ready for any challenges,†says George Eustace Gakwandi, the district chief administrative officer (CAO). <br>Seated in his office at the district headquarters, Gakwandi’s curriculum vitae reve
MUKONO
By Joel Ogwang
The media portrays Mukono as chaotic. But I am ready for any challenges,†says George Eustace Gakwandi, the district chief administrative officer (CAO).
Seated in his office at the district headquarters, Gakwandi’s curriculum vitae reveals that he has 28-years of experience in civil service.
Ins-and-outs
Mukono has had three CAOs and two caretakers in five years. “The CAOs have all been victims of political squabbles. Mukono has never had a compromising district chairperson,†says a civil servant who prefers anonymity.
Sam Kisense resigned in 2002, following orders from the Inspector General of Government, Faith Mwondha. He was implicated in the mismanagement of the 2001 election funds.
Solomon Ssonko, the district planner, became the caretaker until the 2005 restructuring exercise swept him off. He was designated acting Njeru town clerk until mid-2007, when the Ministry of local government appointed him the deputy CAO of Mayuge.
Enter Edward Galabuzi. “He served during a period of persistent political squabbles,†says Sewanyo Kiganda, the information officer.
This was when Francis Lukooya was the LC5 chairman. Galabuzi served as CAO from July 2005 to February 2007. His reign kicked-off and ended like a whirlwind. While Lukooya insists his removal from office was because he failed to work with the new council, some people dismiss the notion.
A senior officer preferring anonymity, says: “Lukooya thought he would bully Galabuzi into releasing funds whenever he wanted. But Galabuzi stood by the law.†However, according to Gakwandi, districts have disagreements, but it is the way one handles them that matters.
Challenges
Virtually all-senior officers in Mukono have had their ‘share’ of squabbles. Lukooya is a National Resistance Movement (NRM) loyalist who once said: “All positions, including headteachers and nursery teachers, should be held by NRM supporters.†By virtue of the local government Act, CAOs are supposed to be apolitical. This, however, may be tricky for Gakwandi. However, the resident district commissioner, Deo Nsereko, says there should only be differences in opinion.
Corruption
The district internal auditor’s report recently unearthed massive financial anomalies, leading to the loss of sh1.7b.
“I will ensure that all avenues that may infiltrate mismanagement of funds are shut,†says Gakwandi.
While welcoming Gakwandi during at the community centre recently, Lukooya said: “Where I do not agree with him, I will let him know.†In Mukono, salaries of the previous month would be demanded three months later. But Gakwandi says: “I may not solve the delays, but will try to pay salaries in time.â€
Debts
His other challenge is servicing district debts. “I don’t know what sources of revenue Mukono has. This is a major challenge and an indication that there has been lack of accountability,†Gakwandi adds.
He expects cooperation and mutual respect for duties as enshrined in the local government Act.
WHO IS GAKWANDI?
- Born in 1957 in Mbarara
- Did Primary Leaving Exams at Mbarara Junior School.
- 1970-1973: Joined Mbarara High School and Nyakasura school (1974-1975) for O’ level and A’ level, respectively.
Qualifications
- Bachelors of Arts social sciences (MUK)
- Post-graduate Diploma in Development administration (University of Birmingham), certificate in Law (LDC) and Masters in public administration and management
- Certificate in Management of Local Governments (Norway), Public Service Management (Sweden) and South Africa
EXPERIENCE
- Prior to his new task, he served as Jinja CAO for 12-years
- 1987: Assistant district executive secretary of Pallisa sub-district.
By Joel Ogwang
The media portrays Mukono as chaotic. But I am ready for any challenges,†says George Eustace Gakwandi, the district chief administrative officer (CAO).
Seated in his office at the district headquarters, Gakwandi’s curriculum vitae reveals that he has 28-years of experience in civil service.
Ins-and-outs
Mukono has had three CAOs and two caretakers in five years. “The CAOs have all been victims of political squabbles. Mukono has never had a compromising district chairperson,†says a civil servant who prefers anonymity.
Sam Kisense resigned in 2002, following orders from the Inspector General of Government, Faith Mwondha. He was implicated in the mismanagement of the 2001 election funds.
Solomon Ssonko, the district planner, became the caretaker until the 2005 restructuring exercise swept him off. He was designated acting Njeru town clerk until mid-2007, when the Ministry of local government appointed him the deputy CAO of Mayuge.
Enter Edward Galabuzi. “He served during a period of persistent political squabbles,†says Sewanyo Kiganda, the information officer.
This was when Francis Lukooya was the LC5 chairman. Galabuzi served as CAO from July 2005 to February 2007. His reign kicked-off and ended like a whirlwind. While Lukooya insists his removal from office was because he failed to work with the new council, some people dismiss the notion.
A senior officer preferring anonymity, says: “Lukooya thought he would bully Galabuzi into releasing funds whenever he wanted. But Galabuzi stood by the law.†However, according to Gakwandi, districts have disagreements, but it is the way one handles them that matters.
Challenges
Virtually all-senior officers in Mukono have had their ‘share’ of squabbles. Lukooya is a National Resistance Movement (NRM) loyalist who once said: “All positions, including headteachers and nursery teachers, should be held by NRM supporters.†By virtue of the local government Act, CAOs are supposed to be apolitical. This, however, may be tricky for Gakwandi. However, the resident district commissioner, Deo Nsereko, says there should only be differences in opinion.
Corruption
The district internal auditor’s report recently unearthed massive financial anomalies, leading to the loss of sh1.7b.
“I will ensure that all avenues that may infiltrate mismanagement of funds are shut,†says Gakwandi.
While welcoming Gakwandi during at the community centre recently, Lukooya said: “Where I do not agree with him, I will let him know.†In Mukono, salaries of the previous month would be demanded three months later. But Gakwandi says: “I may not solve the delays, but will try to pay salaries in time.â€
Debts
His other challenge is servicing district debts. “I don’t know what sources of revenue Mukono has. This is a major challenge and an indication that there has been lack of accountability,†Gakwandi adds.
He expects cooperation and mutual respect for duties as enshrined in the local government Act.
WHO IS GAKWANDI?
- Born in 1957 in Mbarara
- Did Primary Leaving Exams at Mbarara Junior School.
- 1970-1973: Joined Mbarara High School and Nyakasura school (1974-1975) for O’ level and A’ level, respectively.
Qualifications
- Bachelors of Arts social sciences (MUK)
- Post-graduate Diploma in Development administration (University of Birmingham), certificate in Law (LDC) and Masters in public administration and management
- Certificate in Management of Local Governments (Norway), Public Service Management (Sweden) and South Africa
EXPERIENCE
- Prior to his new task, he served as Jinja CAO for 12-years
- 1987: Assistant district executive secretary of Pallisa sub-district.