Division over Apac interim municipal leadership

By Okwir Daniel Justine

Tension has been brewing as Apac town council upgrades to a municipality. There is confusion between the former mayor and the district chairperson.

Jimmy Okello who was sworn in as the LC3 chairperson-elect for Apac Town council says a prior documentation dictates that he be sworn in as the interim municipality mayor pending electoral commission roadmap.

The said letter was spelling that the mayor-elect for the town council would be elevated and sworn in as the interim municipal mayor.

On the contrary, Okae Bob who is the district chairperson-elect of Apac district, insists he is the rightful person to act as the interim municipal council mayor.

According to the speaker (of former Apac town council) Hanington Otim, who was elected as the disability male representative, they had a plan to liaise with the magistrate to have the interim council precede.

According to the letter that has disputed the two parties, sent from the local government minister, addressed to the district chairperson reference number UAA/179/01 addressed district chairperson under the signatory of the former local government minister Adolf Mwesigye.

The document spelt in one part that the mayor elect of the former town council would be the interim municipal mayor and the former town council councilors to constitute the interim council to govern the political administration and affairs.

Furthermore the district chairperson covertly continues to claim he has a document that directs him to be the interim municipal mayor for a period not exceeding six months.

However LC5 Okae has since 1st July not disclosed that other letter that directs him to be mayor, this has posed several questions in various parts of the district.

The controversy

Okae Bob insists that he is the most fit and directed to oversee the affairs of the municipality as the chairperson of the district executive council with powers entrusted to his office, further Okae subscribes to the Uganda People's Congress party and Jimmy Okello is a member of the national resistance movement party.

Apac town council was amongst the 22 town councils which have been elevated to a level of Municipality that took effect of July first.

The returning officer for Apac, Musimbi Jimmy who also doubles as the regional returning officer for Lango sub region in an exclusive interview with our reporter on Thursday said there is no roadmap yet.

 "Let's wait for guidelines from the commission, but as of now there is no law which would make a person be sworn in as an interim mayor or other elective positions whatsoever.

"When government communicates, the commission (electoral) will disburse it to the public, however, there is no elections soon and it will only happen in the six month time or less when  the commission organizes.

 "The Electoral Commission and government are yet to communicate," said Musimbi.

 aruzi county legislator Maxwell Akora told a congregation of mourners at the home of Lango Paramount chief that politicians vying for municipal political positions should not rash as there may be no elections yet.

Akora said as rumors of personalities numbering close to nineteen have flooded the local media of their intention to contest.