Probe team wants seven Makindye officials sacked

Jan 13, 2009

INTERDICTED Makindye senior principal town clerk William Tumwine and vice-chairman Siraje Lubwama are among the seven officials who have been recommended for sacking.

By Josephine Maseruka
and Raymond Baguma

INTERDICTED Makindye senior principal town clerk William Tumwine and vice-chairman Siraje Lubwama are among the seven officials who have been recommended for sacking.

The six-member team probing the mismanagement of Makindye and Kawempe divisions, as well as Mbarara municipal council, yesterday said the officials caused financial loss and abused office.

Aggrey Awori, a member of the probe team, yesterday handed over the report to local government minister Kahinda Otafiire at the ministry’s board room.

“Kampala city divisions are poorly managed and service delivery is appalling. Makindye Division can be termed as a hub of ‘ghost firms’ undertaking ‘ghost projects,’ the report read.

Present were the acting permanent secretary in the ministry, Tom Matte, commissioners Prof. Victoria Mwaka, Stephen Bamwanga and Issa Gumwonye, the secretary. Jacob Oulanyah, the chairperson and Dan Rwihura were absent.

Otafiire said he would release the report after scrutinising it and that those found guilty would be charged and sacked.
Lubwama is accused of authorising Tumwine to pay over sh108m for works on drainage channels which were not inspected.

He also said to have authorised payment of sh37.9m to Crystal Construction Company for works on Masaana drainage channels but construction had been halted for over 10 years.

Tumwine is reported to have authorised the payment of sh71m to Psalms Investments Company, a reportedly non-existent firm that allegedly worked on drainage channels in the division.

Benedict Ssemwanga, a casual labourer who worked as an engineer was paid sh35m and another sh32m for drainage works in Buyinja zone, an alleged non-existent area in Makindye.

Other officials interdicted include town clerks Stephen Higobero and Godfrey Kisekka, who caused an overpayment of sh322m for the construction of the division administration block, which was to cost sh1.2b.

Others are Sam Ssemwanga, the former division finance officer, Richard Ssemakula and Benedict Ssemuwemba.
In Kawempe Division, the local government ministry was asked to intervene in the wrangles and to stop the LC3 chairman, Nasser Takuba, from alleged unnecessary travel expenses abroad using council funds and for reportedly beating up Abener Besiga, a principal town clerk.

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