Tororo boss faces probe
Sep 18, 2003
Local government minister Tarsis Kabwegyere has written to the Chief Justice to appoint a judge to probe allegations against the Tororo LC5 chairman Nuwa Owora.
By Felix Osike
Local government minister Tarsis Kabwegyere has written to the Chief Justice to appoint a judge to probe allegations against the Tororo LC5 chairman Nuwa Owora.
District councillors moved a censure motion against Owora accusing him of financial impropriety, and nepotism.
“I have written to the Chief Justice over a resolution passed by the Council to withdraw confidence in the chairman,†said Kabwegyere.
The petition was signed by 32 of the 48 councillors. It cites 12 grounds for the censure and was sent to the district speaker and Kabwegyere on July 18.
Owora said the petition was defective and some of the councillors had begun withdrawing their signatures.
But the law prohibits the withdrawal of signatures after the petition has been sent to the Speaker.
Owora can hire a lawyer or defend himself during the proceedings.
A debate on the petition which had been scheduled for last month flopped when the speaker, Phibby Awere, took leave.
According to the Local Government Act, the minister shall, within 14 days after receiving the notice, constitute a tribunal consisting of a judge and two other persons appointed in consultation with the Chief Justice to investigate the allegations.
The tribunal is supposed to report its findings to the council which decides if there is a reason or not for the removal of the chairman. If there is a reason and the council passes the resolution by a two-thirds majority, the chairperson shall vacate office.
Local government minister Tarsis Kabwegyere has written to the Chief Justice to appoint a judge to probe allegations against the Tororo LC5 chairman Nuwa Owora.
District councillors moved a censure motion against Owora accusing him of financial impropriety, and nepotism.
“I have written to the Chief Justice over a resolution passed by the Council to withdraw confidence in the chairman,†said Kabwegyere.
The petition was signed by 32 of the 48 councillors. It cites 12 grounds for the censure and was sent to the district speaker and Kabwegyere on July 18.
Owora said the petition was defective and some of the councillors had begun withdrawing their signatures.
But the law prohibits the withdrawal of signatures after the petition has been sent to the Speaker.
Owora can hire a lawyer or defend himself during the proceedings.
A debate on the petition which had been scheduled for last month flopped when the speaker, Phibby Awere, took leave.
According to the Local Government Act, the minister shall, within 14 days after receiving the notice, constitute a tribunal consisting of a judge and two other persons appointed in consultation with the Chief Justice to investigate the allegations.
The tribunal is supposed to report its findings to the council which decides if there is a reason or not for the removal of the chairman. If there is a reason and the council passes the resolution by a two-thirds majority, the chairperson shall vacate office.