ISN’T SHS 3,500,000 TO BE PAID TO KCCA COUNCILORS A BRIBE?

Is being a Councilor in Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) turned to a full time job? Otherwise, in Uganda’s circumstances, how does one explain the news of paying shs 3,500,000 to councilors? Given the excitement the councilors have got on knowing that they are to get this lump some, it is likely that the powers that be will get through the council all that they want. This is at a moment in time when differences in the way KCCA work is being executed by the Executive Director has led the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago to take matters to the High Court. It will be unfortunate if the Central Government uses the good pay to the councilors to see that whatever they want just sails through the KCCA Council. Government should pay good money to professionals like Doctors, teacher, etc and not politicians.

William Kituuka

POWER STRUGGLE: ERIAS LUKWAGO SUES MUSISI

Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago.
Power struggle: Lukwago sues Musisi
Friday, 23rd September, 2011
By Prossy Nanziri

Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago has dragged Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) executive director, Jennifer Musisi to court accusing her of usurping his powers.
Lukwago on Friday petitioned the High court in Kampala seeking a declaration restraining Musisi from interfering with the activities that should have been executed by him.
According to the petition, Lukwago accuses Musisi of making it extremely difficult for him to execute his duties as well as developing strategies and programmes for the city.
He cites Musisi’s proposal of KCCA top managers’ salaries which was forwarded to the ministry of finance without consulting him. Lukwago insist that he is the head of KCCA.
Lukwago now wants an order retraining Musisi from acting beyond her powers. He also demands that Musisi produces a report concerning the fraudulent sale of KCCA’s dispensary at plot 71 Nkrumah Road, since she is the one who frustrated efforts to carry out investigation into the same.
Lukwago last week threatened to resign his position, saying the Government has frustrated his efforts to streamline business in the city.
He said he was considering petitioning the constitutional court to seek clarification on his role as Lord Mayor, as provided for in the Kampala Capital City Authority Act, 2010.
“I am compelled to go to court to find out if I have no powers in the law. If court rules that I have no powers, I will pack and go home to the people who elected me,” he said.
Lukwago accused the government of deliberately refusing to recognise his powers in the management of the city.
He cited a letter from the Resident City Commissioner, Alice Muwanguzi dated September 13, advising Council not to discuss the recent eviction of vendors from city streets without consulting the Kampala minister.
Lukwago accused the minister in charge of Kampala, Kabakumba Masiko, for ignoring his numerous requests to meet political leaders in the Authority to resolve their grievances.
“The minister is here to serve everyone. Why should we turn into beggars? I am not going to kneel for anyone because we all have statutory obligations according to the law,” he said.