MASINDI MUNICIPAL COUNCILORS GRILL TOWN CLERK, MAYOR OVER SHS 510 M AFCON FUNDS

By Moses Andama
www.mknewslink.com
In Masindi—-
Masindi Municipality councilors have grilled the town clerk, mayor and members of the executive over the alleged spending of Shs510 million meant for preparations ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The councilors raised the concerns during a municipal council meeting after the Secretary for Finance, Benjamin Tumukwasibwe, moved a motion seeking approval of a Shs510 million supplementary budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.
The money was reportedly received by the municipality as part of preparations for the 2027 AFCON tournament. However, councilors said the funds had already been spent before the supplementary budget was presented to council for approval.
The revelation angered councilors, who questioned how the executive could spend the money without obtaining prior approval from council.
Nangobi Aisha, the councilor representing Kibwona and Kisiita wards, said council could not approve a budget for money that had already been spent without its knowledge.
She called for the intervention of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Auditor’s Office to investigate how the Shs510 million was spent.
Fatuma Nyangoma, chairperson of the Finance Committee, said she had not been informed about the expenditure and demanded a detailed breakdown of how the money had been used.
The Speaker of Masindi Municipal Council, Betty Kyomuhendo, asked the Secretary for Finance to explain the authority under which the supplementary budget was spent before being approved by council.
She also asked the Town Clerk to explain where the executive obtained the mandate to spend the funds without council approval.
In response, Town Clerk Paul Moko said the expenditure was an emergency and that the municipality could not afford to wait because the financial year was coming to an end.
Masindi Municipality Mayor Rodgers Amanyire defended the executive, saying councilors should appreciate the administration for moving quickly to secure the funds before they could be swept back at the end of the financial year.
However, councilors maintained their position and declined to approve the supplementary budget, demanding accountability for the expenditure.
The councilors called for a detailed breakdown of the Shs510 million and investigations into whether the funds were spent in accordance with public financial management procedures.