Musisi sat in my chair - Lukwago

By Taddeo Bwambale and Andante Okanya

THE Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, has told the tribunal investigating him over alleged abuse of office that the city executive director, Jennifer Musisi, offended him by sitting in his chair.

Lukwago was testifying on the origin of his rivalry with Musisi while submitting his defence against allegations of abuse of office, incompetence and misconduct.

“I was so offended because she desecrated my chair. The chambers are reserved for the authority. The executive director wrote to notify me about a meeting to discuss urgent matters at 11:00am on August 31, 2011. She literary summoned me, yet I am the Lord Mayor,” Lukwago said.

He revealed that his first clash with Musisi was when she submitted to Parliament the 2011/2012 KCCA budget, which was different from the one approved by the authority.

“We passed a budget which had block figures. I demanded for a breakdown of the budget estimates so that I could sign the budget, but this became a tug of war,” Lukwago narrated.

“I later learnt through the press that Parliament had thrown out the budget because it was not backed by a policy statement,” he added.

Lukwago said he obtained a copy of the new budget from a journalist who had come to his office to interview him.

He stated that Musisi’s response to his question over the budget indicated that policy formulation was the prerogative of the Minister for Kampala.

Lukwago faulted Musisi for allegedly usurping his powers and using what he termed ‘lots of machinations to cut him out of the authority’s business.’ 

He criticised Musisi for her view that standing committees should develop policies, yet this was his duty. 

He described as irregular Musisi’s action of developing guidelines and schedules for the operations of the committees, yet their role is to supervise the 10 directorates which she heads.

During the hearing, Lukwago tabled evidence showing that the first four meetings of the authority were special meetings petitioned by city councillors.

He dispelled the claim that he preferred special meetings instead of quarterly meetings so that he could control the agenda.

Lukwago also gave evidence that the agenda of special meetings was often amended to include concerns raised by the councillors.

He also accused Musisi of snubbing and blocking several meetings, some of which she described as being ‘ill-advised’.

He accused Musisi of ignoring him during President Museveni’s night tour of the city in July 2011, yet hosting dignitaries and performing ceremonial functions are part of his duties.

Lukwago’s cross-examination starts Friday.