KCCA tribunal starts work on Monday

By Juliet Waiswa                                           

KAMPALA - The Principal Judge, Justice Yorokamu Bamwine will on Monday swear in a tribunal set up to review a petition by city councilors calling for the sacking of the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago.

The ceremony will take place at the High Court in Kampala.

The tribunal was set up by the minister for the presidency, Frank Tumwebaze, and is headed by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, a High Court Judge attached to the Anti-Corruption Division.

Other members of the team are Alfred Okello Oryem, an expert in public service and civil litigation, and Ocaya Lakidi, a retired civil servant and former secretary to the judiciary.

According to the minister, the tribunal will determine whether the contents of petition hold sufficient grounds for the removal of the Lord Mayor from office.

On May 17, a group of 17 councilors of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) presented a petition to the minister demanding the removal of the Lord Mayor from office.

The councilors accuse Lukwago of alleged misconduct, abuse of office and incompetence.

They also blamed him for intentionally and willfully engaging in acts of public incitement against payment of city dues, which have not only impeded revenue collection efforts but also put KCCA staff in danger.

Lukwago, however, has filed a petition at the Constitutional Court, seeking a permanent injunction restraining the tribunal from proceeding with its work.

In his petition dated June 6, 2013, he argued that the minister did not accord him a fair hearing to respond to the allegations before setting up the tribunal.

He also wants court to issue a permanent injunction against the Attorney General, who is named as a respondent, and the minister [Frank Tumwebaze] from committing acts he says breach the constitution.

Lukwago further claims that the move by the councilors to censure him was based on ‘false and baseless grounds’, and accuses the minister of being biased against him.

Under the KCCA Act, if the tribunal determines that there is a case for the removal of the Lord Mayor, and the Authority passes the resolution supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all of the councilors, the Lord Mayor shall cease to hold office.