Kira mayor, councillors clash over budget

PIC Kira Mayor Julius Mutebi Nsubuga addressing the council

The Kira municipality mayor, Julius Mutebi Nsubuga, walked out of a council meeting on Friday in protest, during which the councillors wanted to pass the 2018/19 budget.
 
The councillors, during the reading of the budget, accused Mutebi of failing to manage security in the municipalities arguing that despite the increase in the money for security, there has been no impact on security.

After presenting the budget to the councillors, the finance minister, Cissy Nakanwagi, said sh25m had been allocated to the security in the divisions of Bweyogerere, Kireka, Namugongo and Kira.

However, the declaration did not go down well with the councillors. They insisted that the budget should be cut arguing that the money is used to arrest councillors who oppose the mayor.

The councillors led by David Ssekiziyivu Kireka said the mayor has never organised any security meetings in the village, parish or even at division level.

"We have a lot of insecurity in the municipality; bodaboda riders are being murdered every day.  Mutebi, who heads security in the municipality has never responded," Ssekiziyivu said.

Some councillors argued that the funds are better off being divided among the youth, disabled and elderly persons.

The councillor in charge of Kireka, Prossy Nakanwagi, said even in the last financial year, when the municipality was given sh19m, there was no impact felt among the community.

However, before reading the budget, Mutebi had told the councillors that there were many pending issues. He said since the municipality was expanded to include Kireka, Namugongo and Kira they have been constrained.

The councillors resolved that sh15m be allocated to security, sh186 for tarmacking roads, sh72m to education, sh50m for health among others. The Kira town clerk, Ambrose Ocen, urged  the councillors to work as a team for the betterment of the municipality.